Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, but they were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, move to six points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final group matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.
