The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 advantage, but they were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, holding a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the upright.
Securing First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to 6 group points and are assured first place in Group C with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after registering a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The final pool matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer his team hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, become the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key incident arrived when a high ball hit the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw 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 led to his previous resignation.