🔗 Share this article The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow victory. Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco. Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman. However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery. The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion. Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley past the goal frame. Clinching First Place The victory means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three past instances, move to 6 points and are assured first place in Group C with one game left to be contested. For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups. Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point each after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture. The final pool matches will see the group leaders stay in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face Tanzania. A Nervy Finish The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point. Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the second nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief. What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion. Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross. The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman kick. Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback. The key incident arrived when a high ball struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor. Despite the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately fell short of completing a stirring comeback. Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his departure.