Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Tunisia Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 advantage, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, move to 6 points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from the penalty spot to offer his team hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, become the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key incident came when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that led to his departure.
