🔗 Share this article The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a 3-0 lead, but the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow win. The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation. Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from their attacking trio. Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery. The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale. Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the goal frame. Clinching First Place This result means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to six group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with one game left to be contested. For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups. Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point each after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday. The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront Tanzania. A Nervy Finish The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw. The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the second team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved. What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking affair. Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross. The lead was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece corner. The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback. The key moment arrived when a high ball hit the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor. Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery. Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.