The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, before they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three past instances, move to six points and are assured first place in their pool with one game still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after playing out a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi drilled home from the penalty spot to offer his team hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, are the second nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key incident arrived when a high ball hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.