Libreville — A dramatic late strike from Issam Jemaa ensured a second win at the African Nations Cup finals for Tunisia, who are on the brink of a quarter-final place.

They were on the brink of a disappointing draw with one of the tournament minnows, before edging Niger 2-1 in the group C game at Libreville. Jemaa saved the match with a typical poacher's goal as his side surged desperately in the last minute to try and win the game.

Tunisia now have six points and a strong, if not certain, chance to go to the last eight.

They were ahead in the fourth minute through Msakni, who dribbled through from midway in the Niger half in a sublime display of trickery to effortlessly place his ball past Niger goalkeeper Kassaly Daouda.

But three minutes later William Tonji Ngounou got his first international goal with a header after a long ball out of defence caught some wicked back spin and bounced onto his head, with the Tunisia goalkeeper Aymen Mathlouthi defeated by both the spin and the presence of Niger's Maazou, who bizarrely tried to slap at the ball.

Tunisia's protests were turned away by the Zambian referee Janny Sikazwe.

Msakni then went wide in the 16^th minute only for Maazou to miss almost immediately at the other end. Before the 20-minute mark was up, Msakni had another good chance.

For the second part of the first half it was Maazou who caused all the danger. He powered his way past the defence twice but shot agonisingly wide. Team mate Issofou Boubacar hit the outside of the post with a shot in the 34th minute.

Tunisia made two early changes to strengthen their attack after the interval but were again pinned back, too cautious to give Maazou too much freedom. However, defender Aymen Abdennour did venture forward to hit a post against the upright in the 65^th minute.

A square ball for Boubacar some eight minutes late was blasted over the top to the chagrin of the crowd, who by now were cheering on the exploits of the Niger minnows.

Tunisia pushed forward more in the final quarter hour with some desperate defending keeping Niger's goal intact.

But eventually Jemaa broke through as he twisted inside two defenders to score. Oussama Darragi might have made it 3-1 moments later but hit the underside of the crossbar.

Defeat for Niger means they are now out of the tournament.