🔗 Share this article The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Late Tunisia Fightback Ex- African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a narrow victory. The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation. Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their pool clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman. However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery. The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale. Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright. Clinching First Place This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, move to six points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match still to play. For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from either Group A, B or F. Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture. The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars. An Anxious Finish Ali Abdi drilled home from the penalty spot to give his team hope of snatching a draw. The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 edition, are the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved. What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion. The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring 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 half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman kick. The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback. The key moment arrived when a high ball hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor. Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery. Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.