Nigeria vs Tunisia – Prediction, Team News, And Lineups At AFCON 2021

Nigeria vs Tunisia–Two African giants, Nigeria, and Tunisia will go head to head at the Roumde Adija Stadium for a place in the quarter-finals on Sunday.

This will be the sides’ second knockout-stage meeting in three years, following the Super Eagles’ 1-0 victory in last year’s third-place playoff tie in Egypt, and it should be an exciting game to watch.

Nigeria vs. Tunisia – Prediction, Team News, Lineups

How Nigeria Qualified For Rounds Of 16

AFCON 2021–Nigeria has had a sensational start to the Africa Cup of Nations, and after a string of thrilling results, they head into the knockout stages as the standout side and team to beat at the tournament.

The Super Eagles began their quest to conquer the continent for the fourth time on a high note, defeating Egypt 1-0 in their opening game on January 11 thanks to Kelechi Iheanacho’s 30th-minute stunner.

This was followed by an even more dominant performance four days later, when they cruised to a comprehensive 3-1 victory over Sudan, with Samuel Chukwueze, Taiwo Awoniyi, and Moses Simon scoring before Walieldin Khidir equalized from the spot in the 70th minute.

Nigeria finished the group stages with a 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau at the Roumde Adjia Stadium.

With the Djurtus needing all three points to advance to the knockout stages, it was Augustine Eguavoen’s men who took the lead 11 minutes after the breakthrough Umar Sadiq’s goal before William Troost-Ekomg sealed the result with a 75th-minute goal.

Nigeria clinched top spot in Group D with three wins from three games, three points ahead of second-place Egypt, and is the only team with a perfect record at the tournament so far.

Super Eagles are unbeaten in their last six matches across all competitions, with five wins and one draw since a 1-0 loss to the Central African Republic in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in October.

How Tunisia Qualified For Rounds Of 16

AFCON 2021—Tunisia, on the other hand, has barely caught the eye at the tournament and enters the round of 16 as one of the four best third-placed teams in the group stages.

The Cartage Eagles’ dream starts to their Africa Cup of Nations campaign was shattered on January 12 when they were defeated 1-0 by Mali at the Limbe Omnisport Stadium.

Mondher Kebaier’s men responded finely, steamrolling Mauritania 4-0 in their second group outing four days later, with veteran forward Wahbi Khazri putting on a clinic, scoring two goals, and registering one assist.

The 2004 champions, on the other hand, were stunned by an inexperienced Gambia side that won 1-0 in their final group game last time out, when Able Jallow scored a dramatic 93rd-minute winner to send the Scorpions through to the knockout stages in their first-ever appearance at the tournament.

Tunisia’s struggles with form have been exacerbated in part by a lack of sting at the attacking end of the field, as they have now failed to score in three of their last four games across all competitions.

They will now look to bounce back and get one over their West African counterparts, who beat them 1-0 in Egypt three years ago thanks to Odion Ighalo’s third-minute strike.

Taking a look at previous results between Nigeria and Tunisia.

We can expect a tense match on Sunday, as the results have been evenly split in the history of this match, with both sides claiming six wins apiece and the spoils being shared eight times.

AFCON 2021–Nigeria Form To Rounds Of 16:

Nigeria vs Egypt –Win

Nigeria vs Sudan -Win

Nigeria vs Guinea-Bissau –Win

AFCON 2021—Tunisia Form To Rounds Of 16:

Tunisia vs Mali —Lose

Tunisia vs Mauritania –Win

Tunisia vs Gambia—-Lose

What You Need To Know About Team Nigeria:

Augustine Eguavoen will be pleased with his team’s dominant start to the tournament, and we expect the Super Eagles’ interim manager to name a familiar lineup on Sunday.

Troost-Ekong has been a rock-solid defender, and we expect to see Porto’s Zaidi Sanusi and former Chelsea full-back, Ola Aina, on either flank of the defense, with new Watford signing Maduka Okoye in goal.

Further up the pitch, Joe Aribo has been solid in the center of the park so far, and the Rangers midfielder should form a two-man pivot with Leicester City’s Wilfried Ndidi.

Simon, who plays for Nantes in Ligue 1, has undoubtedly been the tournament’s revelation thus far, and the 26-year-old should start in attack alongside Iheanacho and Awoniyi.

What You Need To Know About Team Tunisia:

Meanwhile, Tunisia’s squad was ravaged by multiple COVID-19 cases ahead of their last game against the Gambia, with seven players testing positive for the virus, including captain Khazri, who scored two goals in the 4-0 win over Mauritania last Sunday.

In Saint-absence, Etienne’s Seifeddine Jaziri was given his second consecutive start of the tournament, and the Zamalek forward could lead the line once more.

If there is no good news about the COVID-19 cases in the Eagles of Carthage camp by Sunday, the trio of Aissa Laidouni, Ellyes Skhiri, and Anis Ben Slimane will be tasked with winning the midfield battle for the second game in a row.

Nigeria Possible Startup:

Okoye; Sanusi, Troost-Ekong, Omeruo, Aina; Ndidi, Aribo; Simon, Iheanacho, Chukwueze; Awoniyi

Tunisia Possible Startup:

Said; Mathlouthi, Ifa, Talbi, Abdi; Slimane, Skhiri, Laidouni; Mejbri, Rafia, Jaziri

Predictions

We say: Nigeria 2-0 Tunisia

Super Eagles of Nigeria have established themselves as genuine title contenders after a near-perfect group stage performance.

While going up against Tunisia can be a difficult task for any team, Nigeria has the quality to come out on top, and we are rooting for them to do so and continue their charge for the title.

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