The Super Eagles Book Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 advantage, before they were compelled to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria survived a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place team from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after registering a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The final group matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give his team hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, 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 conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key incident arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
