Nigeria Vs Tunisia: Super Eagles go for broke against Carthage Eagles

Nigeria Vs Tunisia: Super Eagles go for broke against Carthage Eagles
Super Eagles

With the knockout stage of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations set to get underway today, the Super Eagles of Nigeria will hope to maintain their hundred percent record in this year's edition when they file out against the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia tonight.

The much anticipated mouth-watering encounter that is slated for Roumde Adjia stadium Is expected to light up the city given the pedigree of both countries in African football.

For coach Austin Eguavoen, the nation's cup is just beginning for Nigeria as far as he is concerned.

Nigeria secured its place in the knockouts stage without dropping a point from Group D.

The Super Eagles started on a good note by securing a 1-0 win over Egypt.

Sudan fell to Nigeria's firepower losing 3-1 while loudmouth Guinea Bissau were no match for their West African neighbor as The Djurtus bowed out of the competition after goals from Sadiq Umar and William Ekong confined them to their second defeats.

Now is serious business for Eguavoen's boys who are just four wins away from immortality.

Nigeria has won the trophy three times and it was nine years ago that the country won Africa's most prestigious football competition when late Stephen Keshi led a bunch of rookies to rule the continent in South Africa. 

Nigeria seems to have rediscovered its mojo this year, and the Super Eagles have been tipped to cart away the trophy on Cameroon soil just as Indomitable Lions did in the year 2000 in Lagos.

For Tunisia, The Carthage Eagles secured their place in the knockout round as best losers from Group E despite losing their last game to the Gambia.

Tunisia has only won the trophy once and that was in 2004 as host. But the current side lacks the spark to rule the continent again if their performance in this year's edition is anything to go buy.

Tunisia lost 1-0 to Mali on matchday one and hammered Mauritania 4-0 in their second game. They fell to debutant Gambia on matchday 3 to set up a mouth-watering clash against Nigeria.

Super Eagles are favorites

Nigeria goes into today's game as favorites given the strength of their north African opponents. To say expectations are high is an understatement, and with Tunisia already depleted by Covid-19, Nigeria could not have wished for a better time to face the north Africans.

Although 18 Tunisian players took part in training yesterday, coach Eguavoen has tasked his players to debunk the Covid-19 story and take the game to their opponents.

Tonight's clash brought back the memory of the 2006 AFCON in Egypt when Nigeria defeated Tunisia on penalties with Eguavoen in charge.

Will the former Enyimba coach extend Nigeria's dominance over the Tunisian after Odion Ighalo third minutes strike earned Nigeria a 1-0 over The Carthage Eagles in the third-place match in 2009 AFCON?

Will Nigeria stay on course to their fourth Africa Cup of Nations? or will a depleted Tunisian side bundle Nigeria out of the tournament?

Team News Nigeria

Super Eagles are free from injury and are rearing to go against Tunisia.

Leicester City striker, Kelechi Iheanacho returned to training on Friday and he is likely to retain his place in the team.

For Chidozie Awaziem, the Alanyaspor defender is looking forward to his first game of the tournament.

Team News Tunisia

Despite the news making the rounds that over 12 Tunisian players tested to covid 19, about 18 players trained at Canajes training ground on Saturday evening. It is still unclear if coach Mondher Kebahier will have Saint Etienne forward, Wahbi Khazri available for the clash after the striker tested positive to Covid.

Prediction: Nigeria win by 2.5 goals with Tunisia not scoring