🔗 Share this article Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a 3-0 advantage, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory. Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco. Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio. Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery. The drama intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic finale. Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame. Clinching Top Spot This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three past instances, move to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match left to be contested. For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups. In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on 3 points, with the East African teams tied on one point after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday. The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars. An Anxious Conclusion Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point. Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the second team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved. What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion. Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross. The lead was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece kick. The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback. The pivotal moment arrived when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor. Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback. Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.