Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow win.
Nigeria survived a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, move to six points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with one game still to play.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay 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 pool matches will see Nigeria remain in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to give his team hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the next team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The lead was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his departure.
