🔗 Share this article The Super Eagles Book Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Carthage Eagles Comeback Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory. The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco. Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 lead with just a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of goals from their attacking trio. However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround. The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion. The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper heading a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley past the goal frame. Clinching Top Spot The victory means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to six points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with a match left to be contested. For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups. Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point after registering a one-all draw in the day's other fixture. The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania. An Anxious Conclusion Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw. The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the next nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief. What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion. The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross. The advantage was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman kick. Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback. The pivotal incident came when a high ball hit the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen. Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery. Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.