Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team build a commanding lead, but they were compelled to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the upright.
Securing Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to 6 points and are assured first place in Group C with a match left to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to give Tunisia hope of earning a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous tournament, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.