The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot Despite Late Tunisia Fightback

The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.

Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.

However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.

The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion.

The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.

Clinching First Place

This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three past instances, advance to six group points and are assured first place in Group C with one game still to be contested.

For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups.

In the other match, Tunisia stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.

The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.

An Anxious Finish

The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the second nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.

What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense affair.

The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.

The lead was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece kick.

Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.

The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.

Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.

Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.