Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback

Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.

Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their pool clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.

Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.

The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion.

The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley past the goal frame.

Clinching First Place

The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to six group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game left to play.

In the next round, they will meet a best third-place team from one of Group A, B or F.

In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.

The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.

An Anxious Conclusion

Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.

What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.

The prolific striker had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery.

The lead was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.

Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, before the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback.

The key incident arrived when a high ball struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.

Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.

Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his departure.