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 Nigeria establish a commanding advantage, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from their opponents 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 Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are assured first place in their pool with a match still to play.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, are the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The key incident arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
