As Nigeria face The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia in the second round of the 2021 AFCON in Garoua on Sunday, here are five players who will carry Nigeria's aspirations on their shoulders.
1. Moses Simon
Daddy is regarded as the most in-form player of the tournament given his sublime performance in Nigeria's win over Egypt, Sudan, and Guinea Bissau at the ongoing African Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
So good they named him in the tournament top 11 for the group stage, Simon has continued to grow in confidence game after game, and his masterpiece will be hugely needed when Nigeria faces Tunisia on Sunday. Super Eagles should have no problem dismissing Tunisia If Simon enjoys a good day in the office.
2. Kelechi Iheanacho
He may have blown hot and cold in the tournament, Kelz Is still a striker to reckon with, and he can be deadly if paired with a selfless striker. The Leicester City man seems to have withdrawn to his cocoon after scoring Nigeria's winning goal against Egypt, but coach Austin Eguavoen will be looking up to this intelligent striker to bring home the bacon against Tunisia on Sunday.
Joe Aribo
The Glasgow Ranger man is currently enjoying a new lease of life under coach Austin Eguavoen. Aribo has successfully brought in the much-needed creativity and a breath of fresh air into Super Eagles midfield. He would need to be at his best against Tunisia and ensure the attackers get supply. Ndidi has been the man for the big occasion, but Nigeria's chance of making fresh progress to the quarter will also be determined by Joe's work ethics, distribution, and ball recovery.
Kenneth Omeruo
Normalcy seems to have returned to the Super Eagles defence since Omeruo bounced back from rock-bottom to reclaim a starting shirt in the national team. Overlooked by former manager Gernot Rohr, Omeruo is in the best form of his life at the moment, and his sublime performance has positively impacted Ekong's game too. An error-free Omeruo should be enough to ensure Nigeria enjoys another clean sheet on Sunday.
5 Maduka Okoye
Shielded by his rearguards in the group stage, Sunday's game against Tunisia will surely be Okoye's biggest test if Tunisia striker, Wahbi Kazri'sd second Covid-19 test turns negative. The Saint Etienne striker scored twice and set up another in his country's 4-0 win over Mauritania last Sunday. But the former Sunderland forward is currently down with Covid-19.
Okoye will have to be at his best against Tunisia who will hope to score first against Nigeria and then sit back to soak pressure from Super Eagles stars.