Nigeria and Tunisia will clash at the Jacques Lemans Arena in Austria in an international friendly on Tuesday night as both sides continue their preparations for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Gernot Rohr’s second-string Super Eagles would be aiming to return to winning ways having bowed 1-0 to reigning African champions Algeria in their last outings, while Tunisia were 3-0 victors over Sudan in a friendly.
Nigeria defeated Tunisia 1-0 the last time both teams met in the third-place play-off of 2019 Africa Cup of Nations staged in Cairo, courtesy of Odion Ighalo’s third-minute effort.
Team News
The German tactician Rohr will be without three of his star midfielders. Oghenekaro Etebo picked up an injury last weekend while on duty with Galatasaray.
Holding midfielder Wilfred Ndidi also sustained an adductor injury in the Premier League and is expected to be out for six to 12 weeks. Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo is also absent through injury.
Napoli forward Victor Osimhen excused himself from this round of international fixtures, perhaps as a precaution due to the COVID-19 scare recently experienced by Gennaro Gattuso’s side. Osimhen was replaced by Genk’s Paul Onuachu.
There are no injury or suspension concerns for coach Mondher Kebaier ahead of Tunisia’s match with Nigeria.
Former Sunderland attacker Wahbi Khazri is the leading scorer in the squad with 19 goals, and the 29-year-old should again feature in the final third of the field.
Nigeria vs Tunisia Head-to-Head
Nigeria and Tunisia have met 19 times in the past, across friendlies, World Cup qualifications, AFCON qualification, and the Africa Cup of Nations.
The head-to-head record between these two African powerhouse sides is even, and this match could finally separate them.
Both sides have six victories apiece, with seven matches have ended in a stalemate.
The most recent meeting between the teams came in July 2019 in the third-place playoff at the AFCON when a third-minute goal by Odion Ighalo was enough to give Nigeria a 1-0 win.
Nigeria Possible Starting Lineup: Dele Alampasu; Jamilu Collins, Kenneth Omeruo, Chidozie Awaziem, Ola Aina; Frank Onyeka, Samson Tijani, Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon; Ahmed Musa, Cyriel Dessers.
Tunisia Possible Starting Lineup: Farouk Ben Mustapha; Ali Maaloul, Yassine Meriah, Dylan Bronn, Wajdi Kechrida; Ferjani Sassi, Ellyes Shkiri, Ayman Ben Mohamed; Youssef Msakni, Wabhi Khazri, Saad Bguiri
Prediction: Nigeria 2-1 Tunisia
source:- fcnaija
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