The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding lead, but they were forced to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the upright.
Securing Top Spot
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three past instances, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on three points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from the penalty spot to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous tournament, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key incident arrived when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
