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Nigeria survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.

Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 cushion with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.

However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.

The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.

Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.

Securing Top Spot

This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, move to six group points and are assured top spot in their pool with a match left to play.

In the next round, they will face a third-placed team from one of Group A, B or F.

In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point each after registering a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday.

The final pool 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 face Tanzania.

A Nervy Conclusion

Nigeria, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the next team after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.

What seemed set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense conclusion.

Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.

The lead was doubled early in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a set-piece kick.

The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.

The key incident arrived when a looping cross struck 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 in the end came up just short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.

Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.