Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback

The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.

The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.

However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.

The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a VAR check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.

Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.

Clinching Top Spot

The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match left to be contested.

In the next round, they will meet a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups.

In the other match, Tunisia remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.

The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria remain in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face Tanzania.

A Nervy Finish

The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous tournament, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.

What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense affair.

Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.

The advantage was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.

Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.

The pivotal moment came when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.

Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a remarkable comeback.

Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.