🔗 Share this article The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Spot In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a commanding advantage, but they were forced to hold on for a hard-fought win. The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation. Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to goals 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 tension escalated when Tunisia 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 dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion. Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with their skipper heading a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the upright. Clinching Top Spot The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three past instances, move to six points and are assured top spot in Group C with one game still to play. For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups. Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point each after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday. The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders stay in the city to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars. A Nervy Conclusion The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a point. Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, are the next team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved. What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking affair. Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross. The lead was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman corner. Osimhen then set up his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback. The key incident came when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor. Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery. Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his departure.