By Samindra Kunti
January 24 – The Super Eagles of Nigeria are on the way home from the Africa Cup of Nations after ten-men Tunisia and a strike from the inevitable Youssef Msakni proved too much for the Nigerians. They became the third of Africa’s powerhouse football nations – after Ghana and current champions Algeria – to depart the tournament early.
Just after half-time Msakni struck with a long-range effort which Nigeria goalkeeper Maduka Okoye failed to palm away. The Nigerians failed to despite Tunisian substitute Alex Iwobi being sent off following a video assistant referee review.
Moses Simon came close to an equaliser and forward Umar Sadiq shot across the face of goal in injury time, but Nigeria were not incisive enough to find the breakthrough. They had come into the round of 16 after group-stage wins against Egypt, Sudan and Guinea-Bissau under interim coach Augustine Eguavoen and were favourites against the North Africans who had scraped through the first round finishing third in their group.
But from the start in Garoua, Nigeria were subdued and didn’t press. Simon, the team’s standout player in the first round, failed to ignite and throughout the match, Nigeria struggled against the organisation of Tunisia, who missed several key players due to Covid-19 infections.
In the last eight, Tunisia will meet Burkina Faso, who eliminated Gabon, without star player Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, following penalties. The encounter saw 14 yellow cards, one red card and an injury-time header from Adama Guira to take the match into extra time. In the 28th minute, Bertrand Traore had given the Stallions the lead. From the spot, they prevailed 7-6. Gabon exited the tournament unbeaten from open play.
On Monday, hosts Cameroon will play a depleted Comoros team in their last-16 match. The debutants are without a recognised goalkeeper after a major outbreak of coronavirus cases in their camp. Salim Ben Boina was injured in their final group game with Ghana and both Ali Ahamada and Moyadh Ousseini have tested positive for Covid-19.
“We have already chosen an outfield player who will start as a goalkeeper,” said Comoros goalkeeping coach Jean-Daniel Padovani. “He is a player who, during training, showed that he could play as a goalkeeper.”
The match marks the biggest game in the history of Comoros. Head coach Amir Abdou is also among the 12 Covid-19 cases in the team.
The winner of Cameroon vs Comoros will go on to play the winner of Gambia vs Guinea.
At a news conference, the Gambia coach Tom Saintfiet lashed out at organisers. He said: “It’s clear that the organisation has no respect for us at all. I have to be a little diplomatic because after all, we like being here and we are happy that we made it this far with our first participation in the Africa Cup of Nations. But the hotel they put us in is a real disgrace. Six players are in one room and must share the toilet and shower. Three staff members have their own room, the others have to share a double bed. And that in times of Covid. I have been working in Africa for 14 years, but I have never experienced anything like this before.”
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