Nigeria 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 advantage, but they were forced to hold on for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal cushion with only 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on 3 points, with the East African teams tied on one point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final group fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous tournament, are the second nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his departure.
