🔗 Share this article Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team establish a 3-0 advantage, before they were compelled to hold on for a narrow win. The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco. Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman. Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround. The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale. Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley past the goal frame. Securing Top Spot The victory means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are assured first place in Group C with a match still to be contested. In the next round, they will meet a best third-place team from either Group A, B or F. Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday. The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face Tanzania. A Nervy Conclusion The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from the penalty spot to give his team hope of snatching a draw. Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief. What looked like set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense affair. Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery. The lead was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman corner. The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback. The pivotal moment came when a looping cross hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor. Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback. Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.