🔗 Share this article The Super Eagles Book Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory. The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation. Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with only 17 minutes remaining 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 Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround. The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale. Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright. Securing Top Spot The victory means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to 6 points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match left to play. In the next round, they will meet a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups. In the other match, Tunisia remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after playing out a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture. The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars. A Nervy Finish Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of earning a point. The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved. What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a nerve-wracking affair. The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery. The advantage was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman corner. Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback. The key incident arrived when a high ball 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 pulling off a stirring comeback. Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his departure.