Nigeria’s Super Eagles have crashed out of the ongoing 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon after coming unstuck against a tactical and resolute Tunisian side in the round of 16 in Garuoa, last night.
In the battle of the Eagles, the Tunisians, courtesy of an early second half goal, a long range by Youssef Mskani shot that keeper Mmaduka Okoye failed to deal with, consigned the Nigerian team to also ran as far as the championship is concerned. They will now go ahead to meet Burkina Faso in the quarter final stage, while the Super Eagles would fly back home.
Indeed, it was an anticlimax for Nigerians after the Eagles promised so much with their group stage performances. The Austin Eguavoen tutored team was expected to have subdued the Tunisians owing to their labored route to qualification, not a few Nigerians and Super Eagles fans tipped the Nigerian team for a place in the next round, even all the way to the championship game.
But a tactical master class by the Tunisians, especially on Nigeria’s two wingers, Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze not only blunted the Eagles attacking weapons, they restricted their goal attempts to few half chances.
Nigeria’s case was also not helped by a harsh red card to Alex Iweobi that reduced them to 10 men and few decisions that would have changed the course of the game had they gone Nigeria’s way. Despite the handicaps, the Super Eagles toiled hard but were unlucky not to have reaped any reward, especially, substitute Umaru Sadiq, who was a couple of inches away from an equalizer at the death.
Overall, coach Eguavoen’s inability to react early and counter the Tunisians’ tactics played into the hands of the Carthage Eagles
In the end, the Super Eagles only flattered to deceive in the Championship as far as raised expectations are concerned.
Burkina Faso beat 10-man Gabon on penalties to reach the quarter-finals at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon following a 1-1 draw.
Ismahila Ouedraogo netted to give the Stallions a 7-6 win in the shoot-out.
Gabon had Sidney Obissa sent off midway through the second half but grabbed an injury-time equaliser when Bruno Ecuele Manga’s header went in off Adama Guira.
Burkina Faso captain Bertrand Traore had missed a penalty before slotting in the opener in the 28th minute.
A mammoth shoot-out had seen Herve Koffi save from Gabon midfielder Guelor Kanga and Saidou Simpore immediately send his effort over the bar in the fourth round of penalties.
Abdoul Tapsoba had the chance to win it for Burkina Faso in sudden death after Yannis N’Gakoutou had blazed over, but Jean-Noel Amonome denied him.
However, substitute Ouedraogo kept his nerve after Gabon right-back Lloyd Palun rattled the crossbar to send the Burkinabe through.
It was at times a scrappy encounter in Limbe, marked by several bookings, but also a game which provided moments of quality and drama.
Burkina Faso had spurned several chances to make it 2-0 before the 90 minutes were up in Limbe, but Amonome saved well from Traore, Blati Toure and Guira.
And the Stallions ultimately paid in the 91st minute when Ecuele Manga’s header from Denis Bouanga’s cross deflected in for a dramatic equaliser.
Tapsoba had an extra-time goal ruled out for offside against Zakaria Sanogo, and Gabon keeper Amonome denied Tapsoba and Ouedraogo in the second added period to send the game to penalties.

By: Gabriel Nwanetanya