🔗 Share this article The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a hard-fought victory. Nigeria survived a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation. The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, holding a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to strikes from their attacking trio. Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround. The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a VAR check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale. Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame. Clinching Top Spot The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to six points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game still to be contested. In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F. In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point each after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture. The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to face Tanzania. A Nervy Conclusion Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw. Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, are the second team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved. What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion. Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross. The advantage was extended soon in the second half 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 Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback. The pivotal incident came when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor. Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery. Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.