AFCON 2019: Nigeria edge past Tunisia to claim bronze

A sparsely filled Al Salam Stadium in the Egyptian capital of Cairo played host to the penultimate match of the African Cup of Nations 2019, as the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia faced the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the playoff for third place.

While both teams would have much preferred to be involved in Friday’s final, they were at least presented with a chance to end on a high and pick up the bronze medal.

Tunisia coach Alain Giresse made four changes from their previous starting lineup, most notably Anice Badri replacing the impressive Youssef Msakni in a wide attacking role.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Mouez Hassen was taken out the firing line following his game deciding error against Senegal and replaced by Moez Ben Cherifia. Key men Wahbi Khazri, Ferjani Sassi and Dylan Bronn all started for the men from North Africa.

Nigeria named a very strong lineup, with only two changes made from their semi – final defeat to Algeria. Ola Aina came in at right back in place of Chidozie Awaziem while reserve goalkeeper Francis Uzoho replaced regular number one Daniel Akpeyi.

As the game started in open fashion, we didn’t have long to wait for the first goal as the Super Eagles took the lead after three minutes. It was another goalkeeping mistake from Tunisia’s point of view as Moez Ben Cherifia failed to collect a routine Jamilu Collins cross and Odion Ighalo was on hand to poke home from two yards out.

The game continued to be an open encounter but was lacking in intensity as the strain of a long tournament and semi – final disappointment took its toll on both teams.

Taha Khenissi and Odion Ighalo had half chances for either side, while Ferjani Sassi put a presentable chance just wide from the edge of the box.

As the half drew to a close Tunisia’s Khenissi went off injured and was replaced by Firas Chaouat . Odion Ighalo soon joined the Tunisia man in succumbing to injury and was replaced at the break by youngster Victor Osimhen.

Straight after the interval, Tunisian substitute Chaouat missed a golden chance, firing wide after latching on to a nicely weighted through ball from Wahbi Khazri.

As the game slowed further in pace and hit a lull, it was Khazri and Samuel Chuckwueze who looked to get their respective sides going, with the Nigerian’s lovely curling effort drawing a fingertip save from Ben Cherifia in the Tunisian goal.

As the game drifted towards a climax, Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen fired a half chance wide while fellow substitute Moses Simon saw two injury time free – kicks well kept out by Ben Cherifia.

That was to be the final action as Nigeria secured third place with the 1-0 victory. The game rather summed up the two teams tournaments, with Tunisia’s profligacy in front of goal and Nigeria’s lack of consistency the main reason why both have fallen just short in Egypt.