The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, but they were forced to hold on for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to six points and are assured first place in Group C with one game still to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the next team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a high ball hit the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his departure.