🔗 Share this article The Super Eagles Book Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding advantage, but they were forced to hold on for a narrow win. The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation. The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just 17 minutes left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman. Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround. The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale. Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the goal frame. Clinching First Place The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three past instances, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game still to be contested. In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from one of Group A, B or F. In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture. The final group matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars. A Nervy Conclusion Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to give his team hope of snatching a draw. Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief. What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair. The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross. The lead was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner. Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback. The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor. Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery. Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.