Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Place Despite 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 defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to six group points and are assured first place in their pool with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, become the second team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key moment came when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
