🔗 Share this article Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot In Spite of Late Tunisia Comeback Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought win. The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation. The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman. Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround. The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion. The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley past the goal frame. Securing Top Spot This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 past instances, move to six points and are assured first place in their pool with a match still to play. For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from one of 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 registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture. The final group fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars. A Nervy Finish Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to give his team hope of earning a point. The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the next nation after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved. What looked like set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense affair. The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross. The lead was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece corner. Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, before the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback. The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball struck the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor. Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback. Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.