The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead 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 Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to six points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place side from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
