đŸ”— Share this article The Super Eagles Book Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Fierce Tunisia Fightback Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria build a commanding lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory. Nigeria weathered a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco. Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 cushion with only 17 minutes left thanks to goals from their attacking trio. However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround. The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion. Tunisia came agonizingly close from a last-gasp equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the goal frame. Securing Top Spot This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to 6 points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game still to be contested. In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F. In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on a single point after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture. The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to play Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face Tanzania. A Nervy Conclusion Ali Abdi smashed the ball from the penalty spot to give Tunisia hope of snatching a point. Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, are the second nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief. What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense conclusion. Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross. The lead was doubled early 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 his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback. The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor. Although the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a remarkable recovery. Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a repeat of the past early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.