🔗 Share this article Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win. Nigeria survived a stunning late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco. Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman. However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround. The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a frantic finale. Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp 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 ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match still to be contested. In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from one of Group A, B or F. Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three group points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday. The concluding group matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars. An Anxious Finish Ali Abdi smashed the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw. The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, are the second team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved. What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion. The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery. The advantage was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece corner. The number 9 then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback. The key incident arrived when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor. Despite the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback. Tunisia's destiny remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.