The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 advantage, before they were forced to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, advance to 6 points and are assured first place in Group C with a match left to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the next team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key incident arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
