Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are assured first place in their pool with one game left to play.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The key incident came when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
