Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a 3-0 lead, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic 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 cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 lead with just a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, move to six points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match left to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, are the second nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key incident arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
