Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback

The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.

Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.

Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a recovery.

The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting conclusion.

Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.

Securing Top Spot

The victory ensures that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with one game still to play.

For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.

Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.

The final group matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.

An Anxious Finish

The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.

What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.

The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.

The advantage was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece corner.

Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.

The pivotal moment arrived when a high ball struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.

Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.

Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.