Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to 6 points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match still to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key incident arrived when a high ball struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
