Super Eagles Hold Night Training Session Ahead Of Tunisia Clash
This, perhaps, is the toughest fixture in the Round of 16. The Super Eagles and the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia are not new customers, indeed, in football parlance, they are familiar foes.
This encounter will be the 21st time they will be meeting. Out of the 20 previous meets, the last being an international friendly in Austria, they have recorded 7 victories apiece with 6 draws.
Today will be different. It’s not friendly, it is an encounter that will define the destinies of many and reshape their future.
Nigeria coach, Austin Eguavoen, has said the Tunisians are not new to him. In 2006, he led the Eagles, as coach, to defeat them in the quarter finals. It was a tough encounter that ended 1-1 in regulation time. But the Super Eagles prevailed through penalties, after the result remained the same at the end of extra time. The Nigerians again prevailed over their north African counterparts in Egypt 2019 AFCON after Agahowa’s early strike earned Nigeria a third place finish and a bronze medal.
Tunisia on the other hand, sneaked into the Round of 16 by sheer luck. With just one victory and two losses, the Tunisians sneaked into the knockout stage. Today’s encounter against the 1980 champions will see if their luck will continue to run.
It should, however be noted that most of their players that were in isolation due to positive test for Coronavirus have rejoined the team. It is expected that they will add verve to the team.
Fans should expect a tight game that will produce few goals.
As for who will win? Let’s put our fingers crossed.
