🔗 Share this article The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a commanding advantage, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory. The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation. Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman. Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround. The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale. Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the goal frame. Clinching First Place This result means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 past instances, move to six points and are assured first place in their pool with one game still to be contested. For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups. Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after registering a one-all draw in the day's other fixture. The final group matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars. An Anxious Conclusion Ali Abdi smashed the ball from the penalty spot to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a point. The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager 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 ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross. The lead was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece kick. The number 9 then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback. The key moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor. Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback. Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.