SM
Barcelona vs. Brann: 9 hrs 14 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
NN
Africa Cup of Nations | Round of 16
Jan 23, 2022 at 7pm UK
 
TN

Nigeria
0 - 1
Tunisia


Iheanacho (20')
Iwobi (66')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Msakni (47')
Laidouni (53'), Skhiri (55')

Preview: Nigeria vs. Tunisia - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Nigeria vs. Tunisia - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Sunday's Africa Cup of Nations clash between Nigeria and Tunisia, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

The Africa Cup of Nations returns with another nerve-racking fixture as two African heavyweight in Nigeria and Tunisia go head to head at the Roumde Adija Stadium for a place in the quarter-finals on Sunday.

This will be the second knockout-stage encounter between the sides in three years after the Super Eagles secured a slender 1-0 victory in last edition's third-place playoff tie in Egypt and this makes for an exciting watch.


Match preview

Nigeria have enjoyed a sensational start to the Africa Cup of Nations and head into the knockout stages as the standout side and team to beat at the tournament after a string of thrilling results.

The Super Eagles kicked off their quest to conquer the continent for a fourth time on a brilliant note as they saw off fellow group favourites Egypt 1-0 on January 11 courtesy of Kelechi Iheanacho's 30th-minute strike.

This was followed by an even more dominant display in their second group outing as they cruised to a comprehensive 3-1 victory over Sudan four days later, when Samuel Chukwueze, Taiwo Awoniyi and Moses Simon netted before Walieldin Khidir pulled one back from the spot in the 70th minute.

Nigeria wrapped things up in the group stages last time out when they claimed a comfortable 2-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau when the sides met at the Roumde Adjia Stadium last time out.

With the Djurtus needing all three points to secure passage into the knockout stages, it was Augustine Eguavoen's men who took the lead through Umar Sadiq's goal 11 minutes after the interval before William Troost-Ekomg made sure of the result with a 75th-minute strike.

With three wins from their first three games, Nigeria clinched top spot in Group D, three points ahead of second-place Egypt, and are the only side with a perfect record at the tournament so far.

The 2013 champions head into Sunday's game unbeaten in each of their last six outings across all competitions, claiming five wins and one draw since a October's 1-0 loss against Central African Republic in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

On the other hand, Tunisia, who have barely caught the eye at the tournament, head into the round of 16 as one of the four best third-placed sides in the group stages.

The Eagles of Cartage were denied a dream start to their Africa Cup of Nations campaign when they fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Mali at the Limbe Omnisport Stadium in their opening game on January 12.

Like all good sides do, Mondher Kebaier's men responded in fine fashion as they steamrollered Mauritania 4-0 in their second group outing four days later, when veteran forward Wahbi Khazri put on a clinic, scoring two goals and registering one assist.

However, the 2004 champions were stunned by an inexperienced Gambia side who secured a 1-0 win when they met in their final group game last time out, when Ablie Jallow scored a dramatic 93rd-minute winner to send the Scorpions through to the knockout stages in their first-ever appearance at the tournament.

Tunisia's struggle for form so far has been in no small part owing to the lack of sting at the attacking end of the pitch as they have now failed to score in three of their last four games across all competitions.

They will now look to bounce back once again and get one over their West African counterparts who snatched a 1-0 victory courtesy of Odion Ighalo's third-minute strike when the sides went toe to toe for Bronze in Egypt three years back.

Looking at past results between Nigeria and Tunisia, we can expect a cagey contest on Sunday as the results have been split right down the middle in the history of this fixture, with both sides claiming six wins apiece, while the spoils have been shared on eight different occasions.

Nigeria Africa Cup of Nations form:
  • W
  • W
  • W

Nigeria form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • W

Tunisia Africa Cup of Nations form:
  • L
  • W
  • L

Tunisia form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • L


Team News

Eguavoen will be impressed by his sides imposing start to the tournament and we expect the Super Eagles' interim manager to name a familiar side on Sunday.

Troost-Ekong has been rock solid at the defensive end of the pitch, while we expect to see Porto's Zaidu Sanusi and former Chelsea full-back Ola Aina on either flank of the defence with new Watford signee Maduka Okoye between the sticks.

Further up the pitch, Joe Aribo has been solid at the centre of the park so far and the Rangers midfielder should team up with Leicester City man Wifried Ndidi in the two-man pivot.

Simon, who turns out for Nantes in the Ligue 1, has unarguably been the revelation of the tournament so far and the 26-year-old should start in attack, alongside Iheanacho and Awoniyi.

Meanwhile, the Tunisia squad was ravaged with multiple COVID-19 cases ahead of the game against Gambia last time out, with seven plays testing positive for the virus including captain Khazri, who scored two goals in the 4-0 win over Mauritania last Sunday.

In the absence of the Saint-Etienne man, Seifeddine Jaziri was handed his second consecutive start of the tournament and the Zamalek forward could lead the line once again.

If there is no positive news regarding the COVID-19 cases in the Eagles of Carthage camp in time for Sunday's game, the trio of Aissa Laidouni, Ellyes Skhiri and Anis Ben Slimane will be tasked with winning the midfield battle for the second game running.

Nigeria possible starting lineup:
Okoye; Sanusi, Troost-Ekong, Omeruo, Aina; Ndidi, Aribo; Simon, Iheanacho, Chukwueze; Awoniyi

Tunisia possible starting lineup:
Said; Mathlouthi, Ifa, Talbi, Abdi; Slimane, Skhiri, Laidouni; Mejbri, Rafia, Jaziri


We say: 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.







body check tags ::

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


amp_article__476030 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2022-01-22 14:42:30:
html db last update - 2022-01-21 20:24:06 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!
Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Rangers star Aribo attracting interest from Leicester?
Lionel Messi reveals decision over retirement
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Manchester United could be missing nine players for Brentford clash

1

MU

Key Man City defender 'serious doubt for Arsenal clash'

2

KM

Arsenal injury, suspension list vs. Man City - Saka, Gabriel

NEW

3

AI

Thursday's Transfer Talk Update: Olise, Bakayoko, Jorginho

4

TT

Chelsea injury, suspension list vs. Burnley

5

CI

Liverpool 'hopeful defender has avoided serious injury'

6

L'

Preview: Benfica vs. Chaves - prediction, team news, lineups

7

PB

Man United injury, suspension list vs. Brentford

8

MU

Man United to prioritise Olise deal over Bakayoko?

9

MU

Barcelona injury, suspension list vs. Las Palmas

10

BI


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .