Nigeria had defeated all adversaries in the group stage of the 2021 African Cup of Nations in Cameroon, but against Tunisia on Sunday, the worst happened.
The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia defeated Nigeria 1-0 courtesy of a Yousef Msekni goal in the 47th minute.
A cagey first half saw both teams create very few chances as they played with brakes on. The Nigerians who had been quick starters in the tournament up until the game against Tunisia showed a reduced urgency in the game.
The second half saw the Tunisians try to impose their game on the Nigerians and scored their winner after Msekni hit a shot which was poorly handled by goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye.
Nigeria thereafter attempted to get back in the game but met a resolute Tunisian team and suffered a numerical disadavtabge in the 66th minute when Alex Iwobi got his marching orders for stamping on a Tunisian player.
The Nigerians pushed on for an equalizer afterward and created some openings through the lively Sadiq Umar but it was never enough to drag the Super Eagles back into the game.
It’s the second time Nigeria will get eliminated before the semifinal since losing at the quarterfinal of the 2008 AFCON to hosts Ghana.
Tunisia will face Burkina Faso in the quarterfinals after the Stallions defeated a resolute, 10-man Gabon on penalties in the first Round of 16 fixture of the day.