The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a commanding advantage, but the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to six group points and are assured first place in their pool with a match still to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final group matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled home from the penalty spot to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, are the next nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key incident came when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his departure.
