Nigeria vs Tunisia Preview

Nigeria have emerged as one of the favourites after three stellar performances during the group-stages in Cameroon. Prior to matchday one, coach Augustine Eguavoen’s team were considered out of the running to go all the way, largely due to star-striker Victor Osimhen being pulled out of the squad by Napoli following a positive Covid-19 test, while the sensational 23-year-old forward was recovering from a cheekbone fracture that saw him sit out two months action.

The Super Eagles made a statement in their opening match, beating Egypt 1-0 thanks to Kelechi Iheanacho’s clinical finishing, going on to run riot in a 3-1 victory over Sudan and kept their 100% winning record intact handing Guinea-Bissau a 2-0 defeat to top Group D.

There are a few players that deserve special mention, making Nigeria the only team to win all their group-stage matches, Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze in particular have been outstanding with the pace the directness on the flanks which has been putting opposition defences on the backfoot from the first whistle.

Iheanacho’s lethal goal-scoring prowess was highlighted in his goal vs Egypt and physically is a pillar of strength during defensive set-plays alongside captain William Troost-Ekong. However, the key to Nigeria’s success is a player that goes unnoticed for most games – Wilfred Ndidi.

Spanish world cup winning coach Vicente del Bosque once said: “You watch the game, you don’t see Busquets. You watch Busquets, you see the whole game.”

I strongly believe Ndidi has the same influence on this team.

Tunisia have been underwhelming to put it politely and frankly nations like Algeria, Zimbabwe or even Ethiopia would’ve given Nigeria a better run for their money, but not Ghana, they deserved to go home.

The Eagles of Carthage qualified with three points on the board, through a technicality which saw them earn a third-best qualifying slot. Tunisia were edged 1-0 from the penalty spot in their opening game against Mali, before facing two tournament debutants with the expectation being striker Wahbi Khazri running riot but it wasn’t the case.

Tunisia put Mauritania to the sword in a 4-0 win with Khazri bagging a brace, but then went on to lose 1-0 in dramatic fashion after Gambia’s Abdoulie Jallow stole all three points in the final seconds of the match at the Limbe Stadium.

This team has pedigree on the continent and have always stepped up when the larger audiences are watching, and I wouldn’t put it passed them to begin playing their best football during the knockout stages when it matters the most.