🔗 Share this article The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Late Tunisia Comeback Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow win. Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco. The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal cushion with only 17 minutes left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio. However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround. The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting conclusion. The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the upright. Clinching Top Spot The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to six group points and are assured top spot in Group C with one game left to play. For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups. In the other match, Tunisia remain on three group points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture. The final pool matches will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars. An Anxious Finish Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to give his team hope of snatching a draw. The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved. What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense affair. The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery. The advantage was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece kick. Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback. The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor. Although the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback. Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.