🔗 Share this article The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a commanding advantage, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory. Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation. The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio. Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround. The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale. The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley past the goal frame. Securing Top Spot This result means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 past instances, move to six group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with one game still to be contested. For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups. In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on one point after playing out a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture. The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars. An Anxious Conclusion Ali Abdi smashed the ball from the penalty spot to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point. Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the second nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief. What looked like set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense conclusion. The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross. The advantage was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece kick. Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback. The pivotal moment came when a high ball struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor. Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback. Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.