🔗 Share this article Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Place Despite Late Tunisia Fightback Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a hard-fought victory. Nigeria survived a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation. The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman. However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery. The drama escalated when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting conclusion. Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame. Clinching First Place This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three past instances, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game still to be contested. In the next round, they will face a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups. Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three points, with the East African teams tied on a single point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday. The final group matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to face Tanzania. A Nervy Conclusion Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to give his team hope of earning a point. The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the second team 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 comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion. The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery. The lead was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece kick. The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback. The key incident arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor. Although the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback. Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.