🔗 Share this article Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot Despite Late Tunisia Comeback Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, but they were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory. Nigeria survived a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco. The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool clash in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman. However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish 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 Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion. Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley past the goal frame. Clinching Top Spot This result means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game still to play. For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups. In the other match, Tunisia remain on three points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday. The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to face Tanzania. A Nervy Finish The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a point. Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved. What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense affair. The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross. The advantage was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner. Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback. The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen. Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable recovery. Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.