The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic comeback attempt 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 pool encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match still to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The key incident arrived when a high ball struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
