The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Tunisia Comeback

Nigeria weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.

Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal cushion with just 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.

Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.

The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale.

Tunisia were inches away from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the goal frame.

Clinching First Place

This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three past instances, move to 6 group points and are assured first place in Group C with a match still to play.

In the next round, they will meet a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups.

Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.

The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront Tanzania.

An Anxious Finish

The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.

What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.

The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.

The lead was doubled soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman corner.

Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before the defender to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.

The key moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.

Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.

Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.