The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a commanding lead, before they were compelled to hold on for a narrow win.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to six points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match still to play.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to offer his team hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense affair.
The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The key moment came when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.
