🔗 Share this article The Super Eagles Book Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria build a 3-0 advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow win. The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco. The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio. Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery. The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion. The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright. Securing First Place The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, advance to six group points and are assured top spot in Group C with a match still to be contested. In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from either Group A, B or F. In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture. The concluding group matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to play Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face Tanzania. A Nervy Conclusion Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point. The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous tournament, become the next nation after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved. What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion. Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross. The lead was doubled early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman kick. Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback. The pivotal moment came when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor. Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring recovery. Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.