🔗 Share this article Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria establish a commanding advantage, but the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win. The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco. The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal cushion with just 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio. Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery. The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale. Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame. Securing Top Spot This result means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game left to be contested. For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from one of Group A, B or F. In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday. The concluding group matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to face the Taifa Stars. An Anxious Conclusion The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from the penalty spot to offer his team hope of earning a point. The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved. What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense affair. Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross. The advantage was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece kick. The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback. The key moment came when a high ball struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor. Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a remarkable recovery. Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be keen to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his departure.