🔗 Share this article Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria build a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow win. Nigeria weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation. Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman. Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround. The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale. The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the upright. Securing Top Spot The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match left to play. For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from either Group A, B or F. Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three group points, with the East African teams locked on one point each after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday. The concluding group matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania. A Nervy Finish Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to offer his team hope of snatching a draw. Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief. What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion. Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery. The advantage was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman kick. Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback. The key moment came when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor. Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery. Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.