🔗 Share this article The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria build a 3-0 lead, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win. Nigeria survived a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation. Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman. However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround. The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting finale. Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright. Securing First Place The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, move to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match still to be contested. In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from either Group A, B or F. Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after registering a one-all draw in the day's other fixture. The final group matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to face Tanzania. A Nervy Finish Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a draw. Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved. What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense affair. The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross. The lead was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman kick. The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback. The key incident came when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor. Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a remarkable recovery. Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his departure.