Nigeria vs Tunisia: Two Eagles Battle for Group C Top Spot
by Geoffrey Ejiga | by Geoffrey Ejiga
Nigeria and Tunisia’s Bitter Rivalry
Both nations have been a thorn in each other’s side over the past few editions of this tournament. Tunisia knocked Nigeria out in the RO16 of the 2022 AFCON in a closely contested 1-0 victory. But lost out by the same scoreline to Burkina Faso in the next round.
Then in 2019, after both Nigeria and Tunisia exited in the semifinals of the Africa Cup of Nations, the Super Eagles took the third-place crown thanks to Ighalo’s third-minute goals.
Outside those two AFCON games, these two nations have met four times across the WC qualifiers, CHAN group stages, and International friendlies since 2009. And all four games ended in a stalemate. They meet once again with the stakes just as high, with Nigeria and Tunisia hunting for a favourable 1st-place finish in Group C.
Can Nigeria Penetrate Tunisia’s Rock Solid Defence?
Nigeria fields two of the last three African Player of the Year award winners (Osimhen and Lookman), along with Fulham’s in-form Chukwueze in attack. But as absurd as it sounds, that may not be enough to beat Tunisia, or even net a goal.
Tunisia have built a solid wall at the back with Abdi, Talbi, Bronn, Valery, and keeper Dahmen as the materials. And they were crucial to one of the most iconic World Cup qualifiers in the history of the sport. The Eagles of Carthage made history as the first nation ever to qualify for the WC without conceding a goal!
Tunisia won nine of ten matches, drew one against Namibia, and scored 22 goals, netting 2.2 goals per game. Not only will Tunisia’s backline ask questions Nigeria's offence will struggle to answer, but the Super Eagles also have a free-firing North African front line to deal with.
The Super Eagles Super Frontline
Still, if any AFCON team can get the job done against Tunisia, Nigeria is definitely one of them. Osimhen is arguably the best striker featuring in this tournament, and alongside him is Lookman, who scored the winner in their opener against Tanzania.
Both players will be facing Tanzania for the first time after missing out on the 2022 AFCON win over their rivals. Yet, it's Tunisia that needs to be worried about that first collision. Osimhen's strength, surprising pace, deadly shooting power, and unmatched aerial ability will present a very different level of opposition than what Tunisia has faced all year long.
On the flanks will be Atlanta’s Lookman and Fulham’s Chukuweze, stretching the backline with blistering pace and deadly cuts inside. Although Chukuweze didn't get in the scoresheet in the opener, he more than impressed with the most dribbles (6) and one big chance created.
Samuel was 5 G/A in his last five games before entering this tournament, with 2 goals against Man City in that span. Another player Tunisia need to watch closely is what many call a “new and improved” Alex Iwobi.
The Midfielder, who was SofaScore’s highest-rated player for Fulham last season, provided the two assists against Tanzania. He will be central to Nigeria's buildup, so keeping him quiet might be what makes the difference for Tunisia, especially in the middle of the pitch.
