The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Late Tunisia Fightback

The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.

Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from their attacking trio.

Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.

The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.

Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame.

Clinching First Place

The victory means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game still to be contested.

In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from one of Group A, B or F.

Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.

The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.

An Anxious Conclusion

The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, are the second nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.

What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense conclusion.

Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.

The lead was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman corner.

Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.

The key moment came when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.

Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a stirring recovery.

Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.