🔗 Share this article Nigeria Book Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria establish a commanding advantage, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win. Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation. The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman. Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery. The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion. The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the goal frame. Clinching First Place The victory means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match still to be contested. In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from one of Group A, B or F. Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture. The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria remain in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to face Tanzania. A Nervy Finish The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw. Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the second nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief. What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense affair. The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery. The advantage was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a header from a set-piece corner. Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback. The pivotal incident came when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor. Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery. Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.