Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, holding a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the upright.
Securing Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three past instances, move to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for 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.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The key incident came when a high ball struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of completing a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his departure.
