The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 lead, before they were forced to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, become the next nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
