The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, advance to six points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game still to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his departure.
