đź”— Share this article Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a commanding advantage, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory. The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco. The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with only 17 minutes left thanks to strikes 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, igniting hopes of a recovery. The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale. Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright. Securing Top Spot The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three past instances, advance to six group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game still to be contested. For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups. In the other match, Tunisia remain on three group points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday. The final group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars. An Anxious Conclusion Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a point. The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief. What looked like set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense affair. Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross. The lead was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman kick. The number 9 then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback. The key incident arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor. Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable comeback. Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.