The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a commanding lead, before they were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a stunning late rally from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley past the upright.
Securing Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to six points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with the East African teams tied on a single point each after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi drilled home from the penalty spot to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was extended soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key moment came when a high ball struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of completing a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.