The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 advantage, but they were compelled to hold on for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three past instances, move to 6 points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the second team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The pivotal moment came when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his departure.
