The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a commanding advantage, before they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, 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 Tunisia were given a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to six group points and are assured first place in their pool with one game left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed side from one of Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 points, with the East African teams tied on one point after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to give his team hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, are the next team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal moment came when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
