🔗 Share this article Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win. The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco. The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes left thanks to goals from their attacking trio. Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery. The drama escalated 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 dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale. Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright. Securing Top Spot This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match left to play. In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups. Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture. The concluding group matches will see the group leaders stay in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars. An Anxious Finish The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a draw. The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the second team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved. What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair. Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross. The lead was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman corner. The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct 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 awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen. Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery. Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.