Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handling offense 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 stunning leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
This result means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are assured first place in their pool with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with the East African teams locked on one point after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
