🔗 Share this article Nigeria Book Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Tunisia Comeback Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow win. The three-time champions survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco. Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman. Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery. The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting conclusion. Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley wide of the goal frame. Clinching First Place The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match left to play. For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from one of Group A, B or F. In the other match, Tunisia stay on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point each after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday. The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face Tanzania. An Anxious Finish Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point. The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the next team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved. What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion. Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery. The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece kick. Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback. The key moment arrived when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen. Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring comeback. Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.