Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback

The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation.

The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.

Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.

The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.

Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the upright.

Securing First Place

The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three past instances, move to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match still to be contested.

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

In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after playing out a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.

The concluding group matches will see Nigeria remain in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face Tanzania.

An Anxious Conclusion

Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.

What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.

Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.

The advantage was doubled early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a set-piece kick.

Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.

The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.

Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.

Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.