The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding lead, but they were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Securing Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to six points and are assured first place in Group C with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on 3 points, with the East African teams tied on one point after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to give his team hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key moment came when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his departure.
