Victor Osimhen delivered a standout performance as the Super Eagles of Nigeria defeated Tunisia 3-2 on Saturday night in Fez to book a place in the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16.
Nigeria looked comfortable for much of the game after racing into a 3-0 lead through goals from Osimhen, captain Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman in the Group C encounter.
However, Tunisia mounted a late comeback that turned the match into a tense finish. Goals from Montassar Talbi and Ali Abdi reduced the deficit and put the Super Eagles under pressure in the closing minutes.
Tunisia came close to equalising during seven minutes of added time, but captain Ferjani Sassi headed wide, while substitute Ismael Gharbi also missed a clear chance.
With the victory, Nigeria moved to six points from two matches to become the second team to qualify for the knockout stage after Egypt. Tunisia have three points, while Tanzania and Uganda have one point each. The final group games will be played on Tuesday.
The match was the seventh AFCON meeting between Nigeria and Tunisia. The Super Eagles have now won three of those encounters, while Tunisia have won once, with two previous clashes decided on penalties.
After an unconvincing win against Tanzania in their opening match, Nigeria showed a clear improvement and dominated the early stages against Tunisia.
Osimhen was a constant threat, especially in the air, winning several aerial battles and troubling the Tunisian defence. He had an early header go just over the bar and later saw a goal ruled out for offside.
The breakthrough finally came in the 44th minute when Lookman crossed into the box and Osimhen rose above his markers to power a header past the goalkeeper.
Nigeria doubled their lead five minutes into the second half. Once again, Lookman delivered from a corner, and Ndidi climbed highest to score his first international goal with a powerful header.
The third goal arrived in the 67th minute after Osimhen set up Lookman, who controlled the ball inside the box before firing it into the net off the post.
Tunisia pulled one back in the 74th minute when Talbi headed in a free-kick taken by Hannibal Mejbri. The North Africans then scored again late on after Abdi converted a penalty awarded following a VAR review for handball against Bright Samuel.
Despite the late scare, Nigeria held on to secure the win and confirm their place in the last 16, with Osimhen once again proving decisive on the big stage.
