Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with only 17 minutes left thanks to goals 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 escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place team from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The final pool matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from the penalty spot to offer his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous tournament, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.