Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a 3-0 lead, but they were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, advance to 6 points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match left to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The key incident came when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
