The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback

Nigeria weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.

The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.

Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.

The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.

Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.

Clinching Top Spot

The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to six group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match left to be contested.

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 points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.

The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.

A Nervy Finish

Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the second team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.

What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense affair.

Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.

The lead was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.

Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.

The key incident came when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.

Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable comeback.

Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.