đź”— Share this article Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Comeback Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought win. The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation. The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio. However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround. The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a VAR review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale. Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley past the upright. Securing Top Spot This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, move to six group points and are assured top spot in Group C with a match left to be contested. For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from either the other preliminary groups. In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on 3 points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday. The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face Tanzania. An Anxious Finish The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to offer his team a glimmer of hope of earning a point. Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief. What seemed set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense conclusion. Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross. The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece kick. The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback. The key incident came when a high ball struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor. Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback. Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his departure.