🔗 Share this article Nigeria Secure Afcon Knockout Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Fightback Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a commanding advantage, before they were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory. Nigeria survived a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco. The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of goals from their attacking trio. Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery. The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion. The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with their skipper heading a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the goal frame. Securing First Place The victory means that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with one game left to be contested. For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups. In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture. The final group matches will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to confront Tanzania. An Anxious Conclusion The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to give his team hope of snatching a point. Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief. What seemed set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a nerve-wracking affair. The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery. The advantage was extended early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman kick. The number 9 then set up Lookman for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback. The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor. Although the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback. Their fate is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.