The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding advantage, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from Tunisia to progress 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 the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Securing Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, move to 6 points and are assured first place in Group C with a match still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The lead was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key incident came when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.
