Tunisia Coach Vows To Upset Nigeria In AFCON 2021 Knock-Out Game.

Tunisia national team head coach Mondher Kebaier is confident that his team can cause an upset against Nigeria when both sides face each other in the round-of-16 knock-out game at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

The second Last-16 tie between the Carthage Eagles vs the Super Eagles will be played at the Roumde Adija Stadium, Garoua on Sunday, shortly after the Burkina Faso vs Gabon game.

Nigeria qualified from Group C with all maximum 9 points having won all their matches 1-0 over Egypt, 3-1 to Sudan and 2-0 against Guinea-Bissau, while Tunisia have struggled managing to get just three points from Group F following the controversial opening game 1-0 loss to Mali, then went on to win 4-0 over Mauritania, and a 1-0 loss to Gambia.

Kebaier however told a press-conference on Saturday, that he believes  his side can turn the table against the three-time African champions.

“Every game has a game plan and we have a plan for tomorrow. We know that Nigeria did well in all their group games. But the knockout stage will be a different ball game,” said the 51-year-old.

“It’s true that we have been handicapped by the absence of key players due to COVID-19. This has affected our performance.

“The rest of the players are ready to defend the colours of the nation. We will give our best against Nigeria.”

The last meeting between both Tunisia and Nigeria in this tournament was the third-place game in Egypt 2019, with the Super Eagles emerging victorious after a 1-0 win courtesy of Odion Ighalo goal.

Both sides met again in a friendly game at Austria in October 2020 which in ended 1-1 draw.