🔗 Share this article Nigeria Secure Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria establish a commanding lead, but they were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory. The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco. The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman. Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery. The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale. Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley past the goal frame. Clinching First Place The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on three previous occasions, advance to 6 points and are assured first place in their pool with a match left to play. For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups. Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point each after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture. The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to face Tanzania. A Nervy Conclusion The Tunisian defender drilled home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of earning a point. The Super Eagles, finalists in the previous edition, are the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief. What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion. Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring 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 climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman kick. The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback. The key moment arrived when a high ball hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor. Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback. Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.