The Super Eagles Book Afcon Knockout Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback

The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.

The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.

However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.

The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting finale.

The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.

Securing First Place

This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on 3 past instances, advance to 6 points and are assured first place in Group C with one game still to be contested.

For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.

Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.

The final group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront Tanzania.

An Anxious Finish

Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, become the second nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.

What seemed set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense conclusion.

Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.

The advantage was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman corner.

The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.

The key incident arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.

Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.

Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.