🔗 Share this article Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria build a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory. Nigeria survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place 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 17 minutes remaining thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman. Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround. The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion. The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame. Clinching Top Spot This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to 6 points and are assured first place in Group C with one game left to be contested. In the next round, they will meet a best third-place side from either Group A, B or F. In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with the East African teams locked on one point after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday. The final pool matches will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars. A Nervy Finish Ali Abdi drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw. Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, become the second team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief. What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion. Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross. The lead was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman corner. Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback. The pivotal incident came when a high ball struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor. Despite the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately fell short of completing a remarkable comeback. Their fate remains in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.