🔗 Share this article Nigeria Book Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Tunisia Comeback Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria establish a commanding advantage, but they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win. The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation. The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with just 17 minutes remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman. However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround. The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion. Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the upright. Clinching Top Spot This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to six points and are assured top spot in Group C with one game left to be contested. For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from one of Group A, B or F. In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture. The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars. A Nervy Finish The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give Tunisia hope of snatching a point. Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, become the second nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved. What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense affair. Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery. The lead was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman corner. The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback. The key incident came when a high ball struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen. Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring recovery. Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.