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

The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.

The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.

However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.

The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.

Tunisia were inches away from a stunning leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.

Securing First Place

This result ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on three past instances, advance to six group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C 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.

In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with the East African teams tied on a single point each after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.

The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania.

A Nervy Conclusion

Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 edition, become the second team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.

What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking affair.

The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.

The advantage was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman corner.

The number 9 then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.

The pivotal moment came when a high ball hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.

Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a stirring recovery.

Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.