🔗 Share this article Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a 3-0 advantage, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win. The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage 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 Fes, enjoying a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman. Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround. The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a VAR check identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion. Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the goal frame. Securing First Place The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to six points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match still to be contested. In the next round, they will meet a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups. In the other match, Tunisia remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture. The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars. A Nervy Finish Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw. Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the next team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief. What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion. Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross. The lead was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick. Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin 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 reviewing the VAR monitor. Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a remarkable comeback. Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.