That was quite sudden. After all the promise Nigeria showed coming out of the group stages, they end their AFCON journey at the last 16 stage. The only team to come out of the group phase with a perfect record lost to the team that had to win their third game to qualify after taking two losses. AFCON went full AFCON.
A solitary Youssef Mskani strike in the 47th minute secured victory for the Carthage Eagles who were dogged in their approach and were on the right side of some suspect refereeing decisions.
Nigeria had a decent start to the game defensively. They were aggressive in their ball pressure and prevented Tunisia from progressing into their final third. Their aggression on the defensive end didn’t lead to much when they forced turnovers as their decision making and final ball were not great and their urgency in settled possession was lacking.
As Super Eagles coach Austin Eguavoen stated in his post match presser, Tunisia were good at preventing one on one situations on the flanks with double teams and sometimes triple teams.
Nigeria’s formation didn’t help either. The 4-4-2/4-2-4 formation had its deficiencies and it was something that could’ve been fixed with a formation change from the start but it didn’t happen.
Nigeria lacked the numbers to cause overloads on the flanks to free up space for the wingers and numbers in midfield sustain any meaningful pressure because of the two striker system. Kelechi Ihenacho was unable to find room in the half spaces in a very poor showing.
A switch to a 4-3-3 would have given Nigeria an extra body in midfield and presence in the half spaces which would’ve allowed for combination play/passing triangles for Nigeria to play around the Tunisian block and free up the wingers.
The second half got off to a bad start for Nigeria, who conceded two minutes after the start. Youssef Mskani was afforded too much time and space to take a shot which beat Maduka Okoye in goal. He got a hand to the shot but was unable make the save, claiming that he was unsighted. He could've done better.
Augustin Eguavoen tried to change things up by bringing on Alex Iwobi for Ihenacho and Peter Olayinka for Taiwo Awoniyi who was such a non factor during the game.
Alex Iwobi’s introduction didn’t have the desired effect as he was sent off for dangerous play six minutes into his cameo for dangerous play after a VAR consultation upgraded the initial yellow card.
It was a debatable moment which was made to look more dubious with poor refereeing decisions not going Nigeria’s way. From no calls on obvious fouls, to calling back a foul for Nigeria rather than giving the advantage, to the refusal to stop play after the ball made contact with the referee, it was a really bad performance by Maguette N’Diaye which ultimately became one of the reasons Nigeria couldn’t come back into the game.
With a man light, Nigeria were able to create two good chances for Moses Simon who had his shot blocked and Sadiq Umar who dragged his shot wide. The latter had a much better performance than the one against Guinea Bissau but his cameo was not enough to help the Super Eagles.
Credit will go to where it is due and Tunisia deserve the credit for their performance. They were able to execute their game plan from the start and keep Nigeria at bay. With the balance of play, it didn't seem likely that Nigeria were going to score even if they were at full compliment for the entire game.
Ellyes Skhiri had an excellent game in defensive midfield, particularly after Nigeria got the red card.
He was able to help the team alleviate pressure with his passing (94% accuracy on 49 passes) from deep as he occasionally he dropped between the center backs. Anis Ben Slimane and Aissa Laidouni alongside him were very solid defensively and we're crucial at helping the wingers and fullbacks provide extra cover against Nigeria’s wingers and fullbacks.
Moses Simon, who to this point was one of the players of the tournament was reduced to two completed dribbles out of six attempted and and overall quiet performance.
It a strong team showing and they will believe they deserve to move to the last 16 on the back of that performance.
POSITIVES?
Nigeria came into the tournament with little expectation from the fans. Their former coach was sacked just weeks before the tournament began and for one reason or another, key players like Victor Osimen and Paul Onuachu were unable to participate. The gruop stage performances raised those expectations and the nation got behind the team. To crash out of the tournament in this manner is heartbreaking to say the least but Nigerians can find solace in the fact that this is a young team with a ton of potential.
With some players missing from the tournament and other talent yet to commit to the Super Eagles, the future could still be green and white but for now, their AFCON journey has ended in tears and the Super Eagles will have to shift their focus to World Cup qualification against Ghana in March under new coach Jose Peresio.