The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a 3-0 advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match still to play.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous tournament, become the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key moment came when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
