Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to six points and are assured first place in their pool with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point each after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the second nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.
