🔗 Share this article The Super Eagles Book Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win. Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation. Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from their attacking trio. Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery. The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting finale. The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the upright. Clinching Top Spot This result means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three past instances, move to six group points and are assured first place in their pool with a match left to play. For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups. In the other match, Tunisia stay on three points, with the East African teams tied on one point after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture. The final group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars. A Nervy Finish Ali Abdi drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point. The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved. What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense affair. Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross. The advantage was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman kick. Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback. The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen. Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a stirring recovery. Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.