The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a 3-0 lead, before they were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the upright.
Securing First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three past instances, move to six group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with one game left to play.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after playing out a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, become the next team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a stirring recovery.
Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
