The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a 3-0 advantage, before the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 cushion with just 17 minutes left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the upright.
Securing First Place
The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 past instances, move to 6 group points and are assured first place in their pool with one game left to play.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place side from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three points, with the East African teams 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 the city to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.