The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 lead, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with one game still to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on a single point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous tournament, are the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.
