🔗 Share this article Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Fightback Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win. Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco. The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from their attacking trio. However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround. The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale. The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the upright. Clinching First Place This result means that Nigeria, winners of the competition on three previous occasions, move to six points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match left to play. In the next round, they will face a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups. Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture. The concluding group matches will see Nigeria remain in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront Tanzania. A Nervy Finish Ali Abdi drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give Tunisia hope of earning a point. Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the second team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief. What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking affair. Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement 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 lead was doubled soon in the second period 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 direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback. The key incident came when a looping cross hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor. Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery. Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.