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

The three-time champions survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.

The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.

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

The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion.

The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.

Clinching Top Spot

The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to 6 points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game left to be contested.

In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups.

In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.

The final group fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.

A Nervy Finish

Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the second team after Egypt 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 comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.

Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.

The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.

Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.

The key moment came when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the VAR monitor.

Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring recovery.

Their fate is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.