2021 AFCON: Nigeria face Tunisia, as Q/F matches kick off Saturday in Cameroon
Ongoing 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) matches are expected to kick-off in Cameroon this Saturday, with Nigeria’s Super Eagles facing the Carthage Eagles on Sunday.
Nigeria ended the group matches with the maximum 9 points and eraned the right to remain in Garoua for the quarter final match against third place finishers, Tunisia.
The 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations has seen shocks as tournament favourites, Ghana and defending champions, Algeria have already been eliminated.
Their stunning early exits are undoubtedly the most prominent examples of the drama that has so far defined the tournament, but famous outcomes for the Comoros, Gambia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone have been wonderful to witness.
Group stages are often far more conservative, but the knock-out round, of course, provides much more in terms of danger.
The matches are as follows:
Gabon vs Burkina Faso
Nigeria vs Tunisia
Senegal vs Cape Verde
Mali vs Equatorial Guinea
Guinea vs Gambia
Cameroon vs Comoros
Ivory Coast vs Egypt
Morocco vs Malawi
Since the start of their AFCON campaign, the three-time African champions have scored six goals and surrendered one.
Tunisia qualified for the knockout round as the group’s best loser, behind Gambia and Mali.
With numerous players missing from COVID-19, including important playmaker Wahbi Khazri, the Tunisians will be looking forward to the encounter with the Super Eagles.
Both sides last clashed in the AFCON in Egypt, when the Super Eagles won the bronze medal.
Meanwhile, the Central Bank Governor (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele has assured the Super Eagles of Federal Government’s support in the team’s quest for a fourth Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in Cameroon.
Emefiele gave the assurance when he visited the team in company of top Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officials in Garoua, Cameroon.
The CBN governor commended the efforts of the Super Eagles players and officials with a call on them to continue to be patriotic.
“You will continue to be rewarded, but most importantly, you should see this outing as service to the nation.
I can assure you that everything is being done by the government to make Nigerian youths happy.
“Continue to make Nigerians happy just as you have done, members of government delegation are always present and ready to give you all the support,” he said.
Earlier, NFF President Amaju Pinnick thanked the CBN governor and his delegation for the visit, with a pledge to always make the nation proud.
“We indeed thank the extremely passionate Super Eagles lover, a member of the Presidential delegation and the dynamic CBN Governor Mr Godwin Emiefele who not only galvanised the private sector to support the Super Eagles in the last AFCON that we came third but doing it again in grand style.
“Sir, we doff our hearts. The NFF and Super Eagles are grateful for always being there for us,” he said.
