The Super Eagles of Nigeria have crashed out of the ongoing African Cup of Nations in Cameroon. Tunisia knocked out Nigeria from the round of 16 stages of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Cameroon following a shock 1-0 victory thanks to a Youseff Msakni goal at the Roumde Adjia stadium in Garoua on Sunday. In the clash of the Eagles, the Carthage Eagles, who came into this encounter without several players and their coach due to COVID-19, emerged winners over the Super Eagles in a shock result.
The North Africans had the last shot of the first half after Hamza Rafia curled well wide as Tunisia kept the score level at halftime.
Tunisia took the lead three minutes after the restart through Msakni. The forward’s tame shot took a slight deflection off William Troost-Ekong and goalkeeper Maduka Okoye could only divert into his net for a surprise 1-0 lead.
Coach Austin Eguavoen rolled the dice with Alex Iwobi and Peter Olayinka entering the fray, but Iwobi was sent off three minutes after coming on for dangerous play. This was after VAR review changed his initial caution to a dismissal.
This spurred the West Africans into action, Moses Simon’s shot was saved at the back post while Chukwueze was unable to find the target after a mazy run from Ola Aina. Simon, Ndidi, and Sadiq Umar all dragged shots wide as the Tunisian defense stood resolute till the end.
Tunisia will now face Burkina Faso in the Quarterfinals.
