Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback

Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.

Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour remaining thanks to goals from their attacking trio.

However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.

The tension escalated when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a VAR check spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.

The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the upright.

Clinching Top Spot

The victory means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to six points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game left to be contested.

For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed side from one of Group A, B or F.

Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on a single point each after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.

The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.

An Anxious Finish

The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the next nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.

What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a tense affair.

The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.

The advantage was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.

Osimhen then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.

The key moment arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.

Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.

Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.