The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a commanding advantage, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three past instances, advance to six points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final group matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, become the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key incident came when a looping cross hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that led to his departure.
