The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback

The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt 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 in complete control in their pool encounter in the Moroccan city, 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 close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.

The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic finale.

The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a half-volley wide of the goal frame.

Clinching Top Spot

The victory means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three past instances, move to six points and are assured top spot in Group C with a match still to play.

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

Meanwhile, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after registering a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.

The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to face the Taifa Stars.

An Anxious Conclusion

The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the next team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.

What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.

The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.

The advantage was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.

The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.

The key incident came when a high ball struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.

Despite the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end fell short of completing a remarkable recovery.

Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that resulted in his previous resignation.