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Nigeria weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.

The Super Eagles seemed to be in complete control in their Group C clash in Fes, holding a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.

However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.

The tension intensified when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back converted in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting conclusion.

The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley wide of the goal frame.

Clinching Top Spot

This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to six group points and are assured first place in their pool with a match left to be contested.

For the round of 16, they will face a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.

In the other match, Tunisia stay on three group points, with the East African teams tied on a single point each after playing out a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.

The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria remain in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face Tanzania.

An Anxious Conclusion

Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 tournament, are the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.

What looked like set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a nerve-wracking affair.

The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.

The advantage was extended soon in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to thump in a header from a set-piece kick.

Osimhen then set up Lookman for the third goal, only for the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.

The pivotal incident came when a looping cross hit the forearm of the full-back, with the official pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.

Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a stirring comeback.

Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.