🔗 Share this article Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Late Tunisia Comeback Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a commanding advantage, but they were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought victory. Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation. Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio. However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround. The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale. Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley wide of the upright. Securing First Place This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to six group points and are assured top spot in Group C with a match still to be contested. In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups. Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture. The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania. An Anxious Finish The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from the penalty spot to give his team hope of earning a point. Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, are the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief. What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense affair. Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross. The lead was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a header from a set-piece kick. The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback. The key incident arrived when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen. Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a stirring recovery. Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.