🔗 Share this article Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory. The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco. The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with just 17 minutes remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman. Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround. The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion. The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the upright. Securing First Place The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to 6 points and are assured first place in Group C with one game left to be contested. In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F. Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after registering a one-all draw in the day's other fixture. The final pool matches will see Nigeria remain in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania. A Nervy Finish Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to offer his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point. Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief. What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking affair. Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross. The lead was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a set-piece corner. The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback. The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen. Although the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of completing a stirring comeback. Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.