Nigeria Book Afcon Last 16 Place Despite Late Tunisia Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, before they were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale.
Tunisia 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 upright.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to six points and are assured top spot in Group C with one game still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after registering a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to give his team hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous tournament, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The key moment came when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
