Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Late Tunisia Fightback

The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.

The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in Fes, holding a 3-0 lead with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.

Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a recovery.

The drama escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting conclusion.

The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the upright.

Clinching First Place

This result means that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, move to 6 points and are assured top spot in Group C with one game left to be contested.

In the next round, they will meet a best third-place side from one of Group A, B or F.

In the other match, Tunisia remain on three group points, with the East African teams locked on a single point each after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture.

The final group matches will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on the Cranes on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.

An Anxious Conclusion

The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous edition, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.

What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a tense conclusion.

The prolific striker had a effort ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.

The lead was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a Lookman kick.

The number 9 then set up Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.

The key incident arrived when a high ball hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.

Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a stirring recovery.

Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and their coach will be keen to avoid a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.