🔗 Share this article Nigeria Book Afcon Last 16 Place Despite Late Tunisia Fightback Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought win. The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco. Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from their attacking trio. However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery. The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale. Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley past the goal frame. Securing First Place This result means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three past instances, advance to 6 points and are assured top spot in their pool with a match still to be contested. In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from one of Group A, B or F. Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point each after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture. The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars. An Anxious Finish The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give his team hope of snatching a draw. The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 edition, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved. What looked like set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion. Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross. The advantage was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman corner. Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback. The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen. Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a remarkable comeback. Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.