The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding advantage, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley past the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three past instances, move to six points and are assured first place in their pool with a match left to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on 3 points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from the penalty spot to offer his team hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, are the next nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The key incident arrived when a high ball struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
