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The three-time champions survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.

The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 lead with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.

However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.

The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a frantic finale.

The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley past the upright.

Clinching First Place

This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three past instances, advance to six points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match still to be contested.

In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.

Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after playing out a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.

The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.

An Anxious Conclusion

Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.

What looked like set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.

The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.

The advantage was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece corner.

Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.

The pivotal moment came when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.

Although the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.

Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his departure.