🔗 Share this article Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place Despite Fierce Carthage Eagles Fightback Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, but they were compelled to hold on for a narrow win. Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco. Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with just 17 minutes remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio. However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery. The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion. The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright. Securing First Place The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, move to six points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game still to be contested. For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F. In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday. The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders stay in the city to play Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars. A Nervy Conclusion Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a draw. The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the second team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved. What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense affair. Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery. The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman corner. Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback. The key moment arrived when a high ball struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor. Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring recovery. Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.