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The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.

The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.

Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.

The drama intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.

Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley wide of the goal frame.

Securing Top Spot

The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to six points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with one game left to play.

In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from one of Group A, B or F.

Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.

The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront Tanzania.

A Nervy Conclusion

The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, become the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.

What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.

Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.

The lead was doubled early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.

The number 9 then turned provider 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 moment arrived when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.

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

Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.