Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot Despite Late Tunisia Fightback

Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.

Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.

However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.

The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion.

The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.

Clinching First Place

The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to six group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with one game left to be contested.

In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from one of Group A, B or F.

In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point each after registering a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.

The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to confront Tanzania.

An Anxious Conclusion

The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.

What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.

The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.

The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece kick.

The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.

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

Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.

Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.