🔗 Share this article Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria establish a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win. The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco. The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 lead with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio. However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround. The tension intensified when the North Africans 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 create a frantic finale. Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame. Securing First Place This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three past instances, advance to 6 points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game still to be contested. In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F. In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after playing out a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture. The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars. A Nervy Finish The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a point. Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief. What looked like set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense affair. The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery. The advantage was doubled early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick. Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback. The key incident came when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor. Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback. Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.