The Super Eagles Book Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback

The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.

The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.

Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.

The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.

The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley wide of the goal frame.

Clinching First Place

This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three past instances, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game still to play.

For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups.

In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point each after registering a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.

The concluding pool fixtures will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.

An Anxious Finish

Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, become the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.

What looked like set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense conclusion.

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

The advantage was extended soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece corner.

Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.

The key moment arrived when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.

Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of completing a stirring recovery.

Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.