The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 lead, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 lead with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three past instances, advance to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game left to play.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point each after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria remain in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from the penalty spot to give his team hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the second team after the Pharaohs 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 comfortable last period transformed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.