🔗 Share this article Nigeria Book Afcon Last 16 Spot Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a commanding advantage, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win. The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation. The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising in their pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes remaining courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman. However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround. The tension escalated when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale. The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley wide of the upright. Clinching Top Spot The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 group points and are assured first place in Group C with a match left to be contested. For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups. Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday. The concluding group matches will see Nigeria remain in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to face Tanzania. An Anxious Finish Ali Abdi drilled home from the penalty spot to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a point. The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved. What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion. Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery. The lead was extended soon 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 his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback. The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor. Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback. Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that led to his departure.