The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, before they were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three past instances, advance to six group points and are assured first place in their pool with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side 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 a single point each after playing out a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer his team hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the next nation after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger 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 turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
