By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia’s Round of 16 encounter on Sunday, January 23, 2022. at Stade Roumde Adija, Garoua in the on-going Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon, promises to be a cracker if the past meetings between both teams are anything to rely upon.
The encounter between Nigeria and any of the North African countries including Tunisia has always been keenly contested and this match billed for 7 pm local time will not be any different.
Since 1970s, both nations have done many battles either in the FIFA World Cup African qualifier ties or AFCON matches as well as in international friendlies, with the most recent encounter being the October 13, 2020 match which ended 1-1 at Estàdisticas del Partido.
In that game, Leicester City star, Kelechi Iheanacho scored a 44 minute goal, assisted by the Captain Ahmed Musa to cancel out Mohamed Dräger’s 21 minute goal for Tunisia after the attacker was played in by Hanifa Rafia even as Nigeria missed a penalty on the day.
Super Eagles starters in the match were Maduka Okoye; Semi Ajayi; Sanusi Zaidu; Kenneth Omeruo; Leon Balogun; Kelvin Akpoguma; Ahmed Musa; Samuel Chukwueze; Kelechi Iheanacho; Alexander Iwobi and Moses Simon.
On the reserve bench were goalkeepers Mohmmed Yakubu and Dele Alampasu; defenders Tyrone Ebuehi; Chidozie Awaziem; Jamilu Collins; Ola Aina and Samson Tijani.
Midfielders Mikel Agu; Frank Onyeka and Chidera Ejuke as well as attackers Cyriell Dessers and Paul Onuachu were in the squad former Nigeria’s Head Coach Gernot Rohr presented against Tunisia.
But as earlier stated, Nigeria and Tunisia encounters date back to 1978 when Tunisia reached the final round of the 1978 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers at the expense of Nigeria after an own goal by defender Godwin Odiye inside National Stadium, Lagos on November 12, 1977 eliminated Nigeria, but the following year, Nigeria earned the bronze medals of the 11th AFCON when Tunisia abandoned the match in the 42nd minute following an equalizer by Baba Otu Mohammed. Nigeria were awarded the match 2-0.
Also, In 1980, Nigeria and Tunisia tied 2-2 on aggregate in a Spain 82 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture, with Nigeria proceeding after penalty shootout.
In 1985, Tunisia edged their 1986 World Cup qualifying fixture 2-1 on aggregate – a lone goal by Okey Isima cancelled out with a two-goal blitz in the first 15 minutes of the return inside the Stade El Menzah in Tunis.
The above close encounters show clearly that Sunday’s duel in Garoua will not be a piece of cake for the Super Eagles, although they recorded 100% win in the three first round matches in Garoua.
Although Tunisia qualified by the skin of their teeth after defeats by Mali and The Gambia and only a win over hapless Mauritania, no thanks to high number of COVID-19 positive cases that somewhat ravaged their campaign in Cameroon, they still pose threats on a good day.
However, Interim Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen has hinted of approaching the match with a different tactics, pointing out that he expects tough battle with Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles on Sunday.
Said he: “I expect a very tough game against the Tunisians. Our group will not be lulled into any sense of superiority over any team here until we do the business on the field. Tunisia is a big name in African football and we must acknowledge that, despite the manner in which they reached this stage”.
“We have watched some of their games and from what we know of them in the distant past and in lucid memory, they are never a team to take for granted.”
Eguavoen who was capped 51 times by Nigeria is not a stranger to Tunisia as he was Head Coach of the Super Eagles when Nigeria defeated the Carthage Eagles on penalty kicks in the quarter final of AFCON 2006 on February 4 inside Port Said Stadium in Egypt 16 years ago to send the Cup holders out of the tournament.
In the epic match, Nigeria went ahead in just six minute after Victor Obinna Nsofor scored for the Super Eagles before Karim Haggui equalized for Tunisia in the 49 minute. The match ended1-1 and after extra time eight penalty kicks were taken as Nigeria triumphed 6-5.
While Joseph Yobo and Yusuf Ayila lost their kicks, Nsofor, Obafemi Martins, John Obi Mikel, goalie Vincent Enyeama and Captain Nwankw Kanu scored from the spot.
Also, Tunisia’s Namouchi, Guemamdia, Jose Clayton, goalie Ali Boumnijel and Hadj Massaoud scored while Chedli, Ben Achour and Bouazizi lost their kicks before 10,000 fans at Port Said Stadium.
Eguavoen and his team were to beat the Teranga Lions of Senegal 1-0 in the Third-place match on February 9, 2006, courtesy of Super Eagles legend Garba ‘Chindo’ Lawal in the 79 minute of the encounter.
It goes without saying that Coach Eguavoen after watching the video clips of Tunisia’ s three group matches in Cameroon has an idea of how the Carthage Eagles will set up against the Super Eagles on Sunday.
Again, the Tunisians of 2006 in Egypt he knew are not the same now and he was not the coach who led this present set of Super Eagles in the 1-1 friendly tie recently hence he must approach the match like the final by fielding the best 11 players out of 27 in camp.
Eguavoen should resist the temptation of fielding players based on past glory or pecuniary interest. Not in this must win match. He has impressed everyone with his team selection so far and should continue on this trajectory.
Luckily, the former Super Eagles Captain has played almost every out-field player he brought to Cameroon and has tested two top goalkeepers in Maduka Okoye and Francis Uzoho hence he should know the 11 starters and five subs who will prosecute the important match on Sunday.
Eguavoen’s vast experience in playing, coaching and administering the game in Nigeria and abroad put him in a better position to out fox his Tunisia opposite number, Coach Mondher Kebaier when both teams meet on Sunday.
In all, Eguavoen has an edge over his Tunisian counterpart, having record three out of three matches in Cameroon he will want to continue in winning ways as any slip up from the Round of 16 will wipe out all the goodwill he has received from Nigerians home and abroad.
What more, Super Eagles camp is brimming with young talents who have shown us a glimpse of what Nigerians have been missing since the likes of legends Emmanuel Amuneke, Kanu, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Daniel Amokachi, Samson Siasia, Uche Okechukwu, Emeka Ezeugo, Patrick Pascal and Eguavoen himself, hung up their boots.
It remains to be seen which of the Eagles will carry the day, although it is most likely that Super Eagles will triumph over the Carthage Eagles in Garoua on Sunday.
Nigeria predicted XI:
- Okoye
- Aina
- Omeruo
- Ekong
- Zaidu
- Ndidi
- Aribo
- Iheanacho
- Simon
- Chukwueze
- Awoniyi
Tunisia predicted XI:
1. O. Haddadi Gk
2. A. Ben Mohamed
3. D. Bronn
4. M. Dräger
5. Y. Meriah
6. A. Slimane
7. E. Skhiri
8. H. Rafia
9. W. Khazri
10 Y. Msakni
11. Ben Mustapha
Reserves
Gk- Farouk Ben Mustapha (32);. Dylan Bronn-CB (26); Montassar Talbi-CB (23); Ali Maâloul- LB (32); Ellyes Skhiri-DM (26) Aïssa Laïdouni CM (25), Said el Jaziri-CM, Moh. Ben Amor FW.
