🔗 Share this article Nigeria Book Afcon Knockout Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Comeback Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped his team build a 3-0 lead, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win. The three-time champions weathered a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in the host nation. The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from their attacking trio. However, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround. The tension intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to create a frantic finale. The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley wide of the goal frame. Clinching Top Spot This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three past instances, move to six points and are assured first place in their pool with one game left to play. In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from one of the other preliminary groups. Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate in the day's other fixture. The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars. An Anxious Conclusion Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia hope of snatching a point. The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the second nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved. What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense affair. Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery. The lead was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a powerful nod from a Lookman kick. Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the fightback. The pivotal moment came when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor. Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery. Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his previous resignation.