Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, advance to 6 points and are assured top spot in Group C with one game still to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia 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 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 nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The key moment came when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his departure.
