🔗 Share this article Nigeria Book Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Carthage Eagles Comeback Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a 3-0 advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a narrow win. The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco. The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal cushion with only 17 minutes left thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman. Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround. The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic finale. Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley past the upright. Securing First Place The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on three past instances, move to six group points and are assured first place in their pool with a match still to be contested. For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups. In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday. The final group matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to face the Taifa Stars. A Nervy Finish The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to give Tunisia hope of snatching a point. Nigeria, finalists in the previous tournament, become the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved. What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense conclusion. The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger delivery. The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman kick. The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback. The pivotal incident came when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen. Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a stirring comeback. Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to prevent a repeat of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.