🔗 Share this article The Super Eagles Book Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria build a commanding advantage, but they were forced to hold on for a hard-fought win. Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco. The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 lead with just 17 minutes left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio. Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery. The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a nail-biting conclusion. The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the goal frame. Securing Top Spot This result means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 past instances, advance to six group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with one game still to be contested. In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F. Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after playing out a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday. The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars. A Nervy Finish Ali Abdi drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give his team hope of snatching a draw. Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, are the next team after Egypt to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved. What seemed set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion. The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery. The advantage was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman corner. The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback. The pivotal moment came when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen. Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end fell short of completing a stirring recovery. Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.