After an impressive demolition of Niger in her first group game at the 4th African Nations of Championship, Nigeria will have an eye on a spot in the quarter-final when the Super Eagles clash with the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia on Friday.
The Eagles started the tournament with a bang hitting four past a hapless Mena side, who despite holding the Eagles for long periods of the game, couldn’t keep up with Nigeria’s fire-power.
The 4-1 hiding of Niger gave Nigeria top spot in Group C after Tunisia were held to a 2-2 draw by Guinea on match day one.
A victory will give Nigeria a huge boost going into the final group game against Guinea and put the Eagles in a good position going into the knock-out stages.
Chisom Chikatara was the hero for Nigeria in the game against Niger with three goals in a 19 minute blitz after coming in a substitute for the misfiring Tunde Adeniji.
Tunisia will rue the points they dropped against Guinea after allowing the West Africans into the game with a late equaliser.
Akaichi scored twice for Tunisia and looked a threat going forward and he will be the man to count on when Nigeria come calling on Friday.
The Carthage Eagles are on a string and two as only a victory against Nigeria will soothe frayed nerves in Tunis while a loss could put their campaign on the razor’s edge.
Group C results after match day 1
Guinea 2 (Alseny Camara -2) Tunisia 2 (Ahmed Akaichi-2)
Nigeria 4 (Osas Okoro, Chisom Chikatara-3) Niger 1 (Zakari Adebayor)
Tunisia and Nigeria have met 17 times at full international level with the Tunisians edging Nigeria on games won.
Nigeria have won only five of those games while losing six and drawing five to give Tunisia a statistical edge over the Super Eagle going into Friday’s game.
Teams:
Squad news:
Nigeria will welcome back regular centre back Austin Obaroakpo who was suspended for the game against Niger.
Coach Sunday Oliseh faces a selection headache over who will start in attack as Chisom Chikatara, who came in as a sub for Tunde Adeniji ,made a case for his inclusion by scoring three past Niger.
It will be left to see if the Abia Warriors striker gets the nod ahead of Adeniji or if Oliseh will stick with Adeniji for the Tunisia clash.
Tunisia have no selection problem but Mohammed Rej is expected to start after being on the bench for the first game against Guinea.
What they said
“We cannot be afraid of Nigeria. If we are afraid of them, there is no need to play the game. They played well against Niger, but we too have a good team too.”
“It is going to be an interesting game. We respect Nigeria, we have a team that can beat them. “They will come up against Tunisia and not Niger.”
Hatem Missaoui,Tunisia head coach
“We thank God for the victory against Niger. The first matches are always difficult but I’m glad we got the three points at stake.
“It’s a very good start and we want to build on that. I believe we can do better and the team will keep improving. I want the fans to continue praying for the team to do well
Ikechukwu ‘Mosquito’ Ibenegbu, Nigeria midfielder.
Players to watch
Nigeria looked better when Usman Mohammed came into the midfield in the game against Niger and showed why he is highly rated.
Most of the positive Nigerian moves emanated from the FC Taraba man and he will be one of the players to watch out for when the two teams square up on Friday.
Tunisian striker Ahmed Akaichi will be the main man for Tunisia against Nigeria as he looks to add to the two goals he got against Guinea.
Akaichi is strong in the air and is the type of striker you want in and around the eighteen yard box when on the offensive.
His positional sense is second to none and finishes quite well which means Nigeria’s defence will have their hands full.
Nigeria
Goalkeepers: Ikechukwu Ezenwa,Olufemi Thomas,Okiemute Odah
Defenders: Austin Oboroakpo, Kalu Orji Okagbue, Jamiu Alimi, Matthew Etim Chima Akas, Stephen Eze, Christopher Madaki Maichibi,Samson Gbadebo
Midfielders: Ifeanyi Matthew, Paul Onobi,Usman Mohammed,Yaro Bature, Bartholomew Ibenegbu,Ibrahim Attah Salawu
Attackers: Osas Okoro,Ezekiel Bassey,Tunde Adeniji,Bright Onyedikachi, Chisom Chikatara, Prince Aggreh
Tunisia
Goalkeepers; Ali Jemal, Mohamed Zied Jebali, Rami Jeridi
Defenders; Ali Maaloul, Ali Mechan, Derbali Zied, Iheb Mbarki, Marouane Tej, Mathlouthi Hamza, Slimane Kchok, Zied Boughattas
Midfielders; Abdelkader Oueslati, Ahmed Khalil, Karim Aouadhi, Meriah Yassine, Mohamed Ali Monser, Mohamed Amine Ben Amor
Strikers; Ahmed Akaichi, Ahmed Hosni, Edem Rjaibi, Essifi Hichem, Saad Bguir, Seifeddin Jaziri
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