The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Late Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria establish a commanding advantage, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, advance to six points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to give Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous tournament, are the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately fell short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.