🔗 Share this article Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria build a 3-0 advantage, before they were forced to hold on for a hard-fought victory. Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco. The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman. Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery. The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion. Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley past the upright. Clinching Top Spot This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match still to play. In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups. In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday. The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront Tanzania. An Anxious Conclusion The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point. The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, are the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief. What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion. The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross. The advantage was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece corner. Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback. The key incident came when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor. Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback. Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.