Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Place Despite Late Tunisia Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 lead, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three past instances, advance to six points and are assured top spot in their pool with a match left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final group fixtures will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from the penalty spot to offer his team hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, are the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key incident came when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
