🔗 Share this article Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, but they were compelled to hold on for a narrow win. The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco. Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman. Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery. The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale. Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the upright. Clinching Top Spot This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, advance to six group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match left to play. For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups. Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture. The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania. A Nervy Conclusion The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point. Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief. What seemed set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense conclusion. Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery. The lead was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman corner. Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback. The pivotal incident came when a high ball struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen. Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a stirring recovery. Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.