🔗 Share this article The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a hard-fought victory. The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation. Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes left thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman. However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround. The drama 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 came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley past the goal frame. Clinching First Place This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three past instances, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game still to play. In the next round, they will meet a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups. Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after registering a one-all draw earlier on Saturday. The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars. An Anxious Conclusion The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to offer his team hope of snatching a point. Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, become the second nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved. What seemed set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a nerve-wracking affair. Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery. The lead was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece kick. Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback. The key incident arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor. Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring recovery. Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.