🔗 Share this article The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, before they were forced to hold on for a hard-fought victory. Nigeria survived a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco. Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just 17 minutes left thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman. However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery. The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion. Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the upright. Clinching First Place The victory means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three past instances, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game still 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 remain on three group points, with the East African teams tied on a single point each after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday. The concluding group matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face Tanzania. A Nervy Conclusion The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw. The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the next team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved. What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense affair. Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross. The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a set-piece corner. Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback. The key moment arrived when a high ball struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen. Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery. Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.