Covid-hit Tunisia dumped ten-man Nigeria out of the Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 win in Sunday’s last-16 clash.
A breathless start to the match saw Wilfred Ndidi fire an overhead kick off-target before, down the other end, Montassar Talbi popped up at the far-post to have an effort cleared off the line.
But, from there, the match sank into a pattern of predictable Super Eagles possession and solid defensive organisation from their opponents.
The game was livened up just 63 seconds into the second-half when Youssef Msakni was given all the time and space he could ask for as he took aim from 25 yards.
His bouncing, dipping shot caught young goalkeeper Maduka Okoye off guard and his weak parry was unable to prevent the ball from nestling in the corner of the net.
"What a story we have on our hands here!" 👀
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 23, 2022
Tunisia take a SHOCK lead against Nigeria! 😮 pic.twitter.com/vglRatsQJM
Nigeria boss Augustine Eguavoen replaced star forward Kelechi Iheanacho with Alex Iwobi on the hour mark and was made to quickly regret that decision.
The Everton midfielder left his studs on Msakni as he controlled the ball and was initially booked for leaving his opponent writhing on the turf. VAR wanted a second look, however, and the red card was produced to further damage the Super Eagles’ chances.
Nigeria’s momentum did not alter too much as it hardly existed beforehand, Ndidi again trying his luck from outside the box a number of times and failing to hit the target on each occasion.
For a side that won all three of their group games and even rested the majority of their stars for their previous match, the tournament favourites looked out of ideas in the face of some heroic defending.
Umar Sadiq had the best chance to add to the cup’s growing repertoire of late drama, only to see his shot roll across the face of the goal and wide of the far-post. Tunisia will play Burkina Faso in Saturday’s quarter-final.
