The Super Eagles Book Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria establish a commanding lead, but they were forced to hold on for a narrow win.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley wide of the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to six group points and are assured first place in Group C with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after playing out a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give Tunisia hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his departure.
