Tobias Sylvester
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia in the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON) round of 16 fixtures being held in Cameroon.
Tunisia, who lost to Gambia 1-0 on Thursday, booked their place to the knockout stage as one of the four third-placed countries.
On the other hand, the Super Eagles topped their group D, claiming the maximum nine points after winning all three matches.
Meanwhile, Egypt, who finished second in Nigeria’s group will have to step up and beat Ivory Coast for a place in the Quarter-Finals.
In other pairings, Cameroon will face Comoros, tournament debutants, while Burkina Faso will play the Gambia, another debutant nation.
Nigeria vs Tunisia
The tie against Tunisia is expected to be a repeat of the bronze medal match at AFCON 2019 in Egypt where Odion Ighalo’s goal confirmed the Super Eagles’ third place against the North African team.
It is also a reunion for Austin Eguavoen, Super Eagles interim coach, who faced Tunisia at the quarter-finals stage at AFCON 2006 also in Egypt. Nigeria won 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to advance into the semi-finals.
Both teams have met on four occasions in the history of the AFCON competition, albeit, it is Nigeria who holds the upper hand against Tunisia.
In the AFCON round of 16, Ivory Coast will also slug it out with the Pharaohs of Egypt in a repeat of the 2006 AFCON final. Egypt, the then hosts, had won the clash 4-2 on penalties after a 0-0 draw to deny the star-studded Ivorian team.
The round of 16 ties will begin on Sunday, January 23, with Nigeria’s tie against Tunisia one of two matches for the day.
Full Fixtures for AFCON Round of 16
Sunday 23 January 2022
17:00 – Burkina Faso v Gabon (Limbe Stadium, Limbe)
20:00 – Nigeria v Tunisia (Roumde Adjia Stadium, Garoua)
Monday 24 January 2022
17:00 – Guinea v Gambia (Kouekong Stadium, Bafoussam)
20:00 – Cameroon v Comoros (Olembe Stadium, Yaounde)
Tuesday 25 January 2022
17:00 – Senegal v Cape Verde (Kouekong Stadium, Bafoussam)
20:00 – Morocco v Malawi (Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, Yaounde)
Wednesday 26 January 2022
17:00 – Cote d’Ivoire v Egypt (Japoma Stadium, Douala)
20:00 – Mali v Equatorial Guinea (Limbe Stadium, Limbe)
KanyiDaily recalls that yesterday, the Super Eagles of Nigeria cemented the top place in Group D with the maximum nine points after beating the Wild Dogs of Guinea Bissau 2-0 in the AFCON match.
