🔗 Share this article The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Knockout Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Fightback Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria establish a commanding advantage, before they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win. Nigeria weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation. The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman. Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround. The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a frantic conclusion. Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley past the goal frame. Securing Top Spot The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 previous occasions, advance to 6 points and are assured first place in their pool with a match still to play. In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from either Group A, B or F. In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after playing out a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday. The final group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to face Tanzania. A Nervy Finish The Tunisian defender smashed home from the penalty spot to give his team hope of snatching a point. Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, become the next nation after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved. What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed 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 header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross. The lead was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a set-piece corner. Osimhen then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback. The key moment arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen. Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring comeback. Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.