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 was instrumental in his team establish a commanding lead, but they were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to 6 group 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 side from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to give his team hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The pivotal moment came when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of completing a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
