🔗 Share this article The Super Eagles Book Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a commanding advantage, but they were forced to hold on for a narrow victory. The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation. Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from their attacking trio. Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround. The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale. Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley wide of the upright. Clinching First Place This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three past instances, move to six group points and are assured top spot in Group C with a match still to play. For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups. Meanwhile, 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 in the day's other fixture. The final pool matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront Tanzania. A Nervy Finish The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a point. Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the next nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief. What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair. Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery. The advantage was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman corner. Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback. The key moment came when a looping cross hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen. Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a stirring recovery. Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.