🔗 Share this article The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Late Carthage Eagles Fightback Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a commanding lead, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win. The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation. Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman. However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery. The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale. Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame. Securing Top Spot The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, move to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game left to play. For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups. In the other match, Tunisia stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday. The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars. A Nervy Conclusion The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point. Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the second nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief. What looked like set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense affair. The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery. The lead was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece kick. Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback. The key incident came when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor. Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a stirring recovery. Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.