🔗 Share this article Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a commanding lead, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory. 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. The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from their attacking trio. However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery. The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion. Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley past the goal frame. Securing Top Spot The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three past instances, move to six points and are assured top spot in their pool with a match left to play. For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from one of Group A, B or F. In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture. The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania. A Nervy Finish The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to give his team hope of earning a draw. The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the second team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief. What seemed set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense affair. The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery. The lead was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman kick. Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback. The key moment arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor. Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable recovery. Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.