The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage 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 cushion with just a quarter of an hour left 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 recovery.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to 6 points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game left to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from the penalty spot to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the second nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to prevent a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
