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The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.

Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.

However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.

The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.

The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.

Securing Top Spot

This result means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to six points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match still to play.

For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.

In the other match, Tunisia remain on three group points, with the East African teams locked on one point after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.

The final group matches will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to confront Tanzania.

An Anxious Conclusion

Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, are the second nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.

What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.

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 bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.

The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.

Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.

The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.

Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.

Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his departure.