Nigeria Book Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 lead with just a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three past instances, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled home from the penalty spot to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the next nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key incident came when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
