Nigeria’s Super Eagles have qualified for the second round of the Africa Cup of Nations after a nervy 3-2 over rivals Tunisia.
The three-time African champions almost gave away their lead as Tunisia rose from the dead in the last quarter of the tie.
Nigeria started the tie dominating every area of the pitch as the Carthage Eagles struggled to get out of the half.
Eric Chelle’s introduction of Frank Onyeka as the third midfielder alongside Iwobi and Ndidi gave the Super Eagles balance and protection on and off the ball.
Victor Osimhen had a couple of chances to put Nigeria ahead but failed to direct his header towards goal.
Osimhen had the ball in the back of the net as he tapped the ball into an empty net from a rebound but his goal was ruled for offside.
Eventually, the 26-years-old striker gave the Super the lead with a header from Ademola Lookman’s sublime cross from the left flank a minute before the break.
Nigeria took the lead into the break after a total dominant performance over the Tunisians on a cold net in Fes.
Eric Chelle’s men started the second half the same way they ended the first passing though the Tunisians with ease.
Ademola Lookman delivered a fantastic cross from the corner-kick to set up captain of the side, Wilfred Ndidi’s goal for Nigeria.
Moments later, Victor Osimhen set up Lookman in the box with a cut-back pass, the Atalanta forward maintained composure and fired a left-footed strike which came the foot of the goal post before rolling into the back of the net.
The introduction of Sebastian Tounekti and Elias Achouri by the Tunisian coach changed the game for Tunisia.
Montassar Talbi got the end of Hannibal Mejbri’s cross from a free-kick with a header to reduce the deficit in the 74th minute.
A controversial penalty after a VAR review gifted Tunisia another lifeline as Ali Abdi rifled the ball into the roof of the net net – 3-2 with added time left of the 90.
Nigeria eventually survived the nervy seven minutes of added time to seal the win as they progress into the last sixteen top of the group after two matches with six points.
