2019 AFCON Preview: Nigeria vs Tunisia (Al Salam Stadium, 20:00 CAT, July 17)
The third place classification game will be played today in Cairo between the two unfortunate semi-finalist, Nigeria and Tunisia.
The Super Eagles who were playing in their 14th AFCON semi-final and in their ninth AFCON meeting were eliminated by Algeria in a 2-1 loss.
In a remake of the 1980 and 1990 finals, Algeria took the lead through a William Troost-Ekong own-goal and kept the lead until the 72nd minute when Odion Ighalo transformed a penalty to level the scores.
The game looked to be going into extra-time before a 95th minute Riyad Mahrez superbly taken free-kick break the Super Eagles’ hearts.
Tunisia on their part proved to a hard nut to crack for Senegal, but were undone by a Dylan Bronn own goal deep into extra time.
The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia have never beaten the Super Eagles in their previous four meeting in the AFCON, with Nigeria winning two and drawing the other two.
Nigeria are the experts of the third-place games. They have won all six of their previous third-place games while Tunisia on their part have only succeeded to win one of their three third-place games in the AFCON, that was in 1962, in a 3-0 win against Uganda.
Nigeria forward Odion Jude Ighalo with four goals in the competition, will want to consolidate his golden boot in this game by getting a goal or two, with Sadio Mane, Riyad Mahrez and Adam Ounas all on three goals, breathing down his neck.
With Tunisia playing into extra-time against Ghana and Senegal, they might be found wanting physically against the Super Eagles who have played all their games in the competition in regular playing time.
Based on history and what both teams have shown so far in the competition, Nigeria are favourites to win this game, but the Carthage Eagles always seem to have a surprise under their sleeves. It promises to an exciting tussle with national pride and a third place finish at stake.
Players to Watch
Youssef Mskani (Tunisia)
Position: Forward Club: Eupen Age: 28
Tunisia’s 28 year old captain Youssef Mskani is the only player to be involved in at least a goal in each of the last six AFCONs. He has completed 93.3% of his dribbles in the 2019 tournament, the highest ratio among players who have attempted more than five dribbles in the competition so far. The hard working forward will be Tunisia’s man to watch.
Odion Jude Ighalo (Nigeria)
Position: Forward Club: Shanghai Greenland Shenhua Age: 30
With four goals to his name in four fve so far, Nigeria’s in form striker Odion Ighalo and golden boot chaser is the man to watch.
The former Watford in the English Premier League striker, who currently plays his club football for Chinese Super League side Shanghai Greenland Shenhua, is enjoying arguably his finest moment in a Super Eagles shirt in this tournament though they lost in the semi-finals to Algeria. He claimed to have turned down a move to Barcelona in January, it will not be surprising if the Spanish giants come knocking again after his wonderful AFCON 2019 goal scoring record.
Muambo Edward.
