Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback

Nigeria survived a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.

The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.

Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.

The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting finale.

The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the upright.

Securing First Place

This result means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to 6 points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game still to be contested.

In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.

In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with the East African teams tied on a single point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.

The final group matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.

An Anxious Finish

Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, are the second team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.

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

Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.

The lead was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece kick.

The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.

The pivotal moment arrived when a high ball struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.

Despite the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.

Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.