Preview : Nigeria vs Tunisia - Live streaming, lineups & Prediction

SCHEDULE	TIME
GAME	Nigeria vs Tunisia
DATE	23.01.2022
TIME	15:00 PM (UTC)
VENUE	Stade Omnisport Roumdé Adjia (Garoua)
LEAGUE	Africa Cup of Nations - Play Offs - 1/8-finals

Match Preview

◉ The 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) knockout stages are here and possibly the clash of the Round of 16 sees a battle of the eagles as FIFA’s 36th ranked nation the ‘Super Eagles’ of Nigeria tackle the 30th ranked ‘Eagles of Carthage’, Tunisia. The Nigerians were the only side to navigate the group stage with a 100% record, stretching their undefeated streak to six internationals (W5, D1 - with four clean sheets), as Gernot Rohr’s side continue to peak at the perfect time.

◉ Nigeria have a proud record in the first knockout round of AFCON, only faltering once in their eight instances since the 2000 edition. The 2013 champions have remarkably finished third in five of their last seven AFCON tournaments, meeting opponents Tunisia three times in the knockouts during that span, where the two nations traded penalty-shootout wins over each other in the 2004 and 2006 editions only for Nigeria to claim victory in 2019’s third-place playoff.

◉ Tunisia find themselves in the Round of 16 despite losing two of their group games (W1) as three points ended up being enough to see them qualify as one of the best third-placed teams. The Tunisians have had a dramatic tournament both off and on the pitch, with nearly half their squad testing positive for Covid-19, while all three group games featured missed penalties.

◉ Since winning the 2004 AFCON, Tunisia have struggled in their pursuit of continental glory despite qualifying for all eight tournaments since. They’ve failed to make it out of the group stage twice, and have been eliminated at the first knockout hurdle in five of the remaining six campaigns, so history doesn’t bode well for this matchup.

◉ Players to watch: Nigeria’s good luck charm Kelechi Iheanacho will play a vital role, especially as his country have never lost when he’s scored or assisted (W11, D3), while Tunisia will be hoping Seifeddine Jaziri will produce the goods, as his last 13 goalscoring outings ended in victory for his club or country.

◉ Hot stat: Nigeria have opened the scoring in nine of their last 11 competitive international fixtures.

Nigeria starting lineup:

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

Tunisia starting lineup:

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

Prediction

Nigeria 2-0 Tunisia

Nigeria have stamped their name as genuine title contenders following a near flawless run in the group stages. While going up against Tunisia can be a tricky task for any side, Nigeria possess the quality needed to come out victorious and we are backing them to do just that and continue their charge for the title.