🔗 Share this article The Super Eagles Book Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow win. The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco. The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman. However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery. The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion. Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper directing a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame. Securing First Place The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with a match still to play. For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from either Group A, B or F. In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday. The final group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars. A Nervy Conclusion Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to offer his team hope of earning a draw. Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief. What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion. Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery. The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece corner. Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback. The key incident arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen. Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback. Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.