Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 advantage, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three past instances, move to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot 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 remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the second team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
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 comeback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that led to his departure.
