🔗 Share this article Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 advantage, before they were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win. The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation. The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 lead with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman. However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery. The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a VAR check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting finale. Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the upright. Securing First Place The victory means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to six group points and are assured top spot in Group C with one game left to be contested. In the next round, they will face a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups. Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday. The concluding group matches 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 The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point. The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief. What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a tense affair. Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery. The lead was extended soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman corner. The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback. The key incident came when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen. Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery. Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.