🔗 Share this article The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team build a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory. Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation. The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal cushion with only 17 minutes left courtesy of strikes 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, igniting hopes of a turnaround. The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting conclusion. The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the upright. Securing Top Spot This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three past instances, advance to six points and are assured first place in their pool with a match left to play. In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F. Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture. The final group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront Tanzania. An Anxious Conclusion Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point. Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief. What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion. The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross. The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman corner. The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback. The pivotal incident came when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen. Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery. Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.