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The three-time champions weathered a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.

The Super Eagles seemed to be cruising in their pool encounter in Fes, holding a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to strikes from their attacking trio.

However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, sparking hopes of a turnaround.

The drama intensified when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale.

The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright.

Securing First Place

The victory ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to 6 points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match left to be contested.

In the next round, they will meet a third-placed team from one of the other preliminary groups.

Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.

The concluding pool matches will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront Tanzania.

A Nervy Conclusion

Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, are the next team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.

What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense conclusion.

Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.

The advantage was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.

The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the third goal, before the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.

The key incident arrived when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the pitchside screen.

Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.

Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his departure.