How Tunisia Caged Super Eagles

The Super Eagles were lucky to have escaped with one point in their match against the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia.
The North Africans were obviously the better side in a match in which the home based Eagles looked different from the team that defeated Niger 4 – 1 in their opening game.
Quiet unlucky, Tunisia’s goal poacher Akaichi had his goal in the 44th minute wrongly ruled-out by the referee, as the centre man posited that the ball had gone-off the pitch before Hamza’s cross.
Chikatara got his fourth goal of the tournament, putting Nigeria ahead in the 53rd minute, before Akaichi who scored twice in their 2 – 2 draw against Guinea deservedly restored parity for the North Africans. It ended, Nigeria 1 – 1 Tunisia.
The home based Super Eagles of Nigeria will file out against their Tunisian counterparts at 2.00pm today, as they continue their quest for glory at the ongoing 2016 African Nations Championships (CHAN) in Rwanda.
The head coach of Tunisia home based football team, Hatem Missaoui, has declared war on the home based Super Eagles of Nigeria, saying they are different from Niger.
Eagles celebrate a goal at the tournament
Nigeria come in to the game as Group C leaders with three points, while Tunisia and Guinea are joint second with one point apiece after their cracker which ended 2 – 2. 
Follow Naij.com for live coverage of the game between Nigeria and Tunisia below.
Team List.
Nigeria: 1.Ezenwa (GK); 3. Akas; 4. Usman; 5. Oboroakpo; 7. Aggreh; 8. Ifeanyi Matthew; 10. Onobi; 17. Okoro 13. Chikatara,  14. Etim; 21. Eze
Tunisia: Jeridi; Boughattas; Tej; Oueslati; Akaichi; Maaloul(C); Aouadhi; Amor; Monser; Hamza; Zied

FT’ Referee blows the final whistle. It ended; Nigeria 1 – 1 Tunisia.

90+2′ Akas with a good run at the edge of the area, Okoro’s cross was deflected for a Nigeria throw. This would be the last chance. Tunisian keeper down to the turf as referee calls-in the medics.

90′ Three minutes added-on. Tunisia has been the better side in this game.

89′ Mathlouti forces another save off Ezenwa. Corner kick to Tunisia.

88′ Bassey dispossessed as Esiffi launched an attack on Nigeria; repelled by Oboroakpo.

85′ It’s Tunisia applying the pressure in the closing stages with five minutes left to play.

83′ Great nutmeg by Ibenebu exposing him to Jeridi…; his shot goes off the mark.

81′ Akas swings the ball into the Tunisian area……Chikatara just couldn’t connect. Still Nigeria 1 – 1 Tunisia.

79′ Sunday Oliseh plays his last card as Aggreh is substituted for Ezekiel Bassey.

78′ Tunisia now on rampage; they have had three chances but fluffed them all.

76′ Okoro tries to nutmeg Maaloul, but the captain of the opposition dispossess him neatly.

74′ Substitute Esiffi has single-handedly turned around this game for Tunisia. The player has taken the game straight to the Nigerians.

72′ Onobi steals the ball from the Hamza and lays the ball for Ibenegbu who couldn’t connect with the ball properly.

70′ Nigeria make their second change. Ibenegbu comes on for Usman.

69′ GOOOOOOOAAAAALLLLL! Akaichi puts Tunisia back into the game. The number 9 player gets his third goal of the tournament.

68′ Chikatara has been a thorn in the flesh for the opponents. He keeps tormenting them

66′ Dangerous cross in to the Tunisian 18′ but goalkeeper punches the balls. Foul on him though…., according to the referee.

63′ Essifi comes on for Zied as Tunisia substitute a defender for a striker for their last change.

61′ Chikatara with another chance….The Abia Warriors talisman skies the ball to the stands.

59′ Prince Aggreh needs to be very careful. Tunisia win a freekick.

57′ The Eagles are happy to slow down the pace of the game. The players are just knocking the ball around.

55′ Great run by Ben Amor on the right flank, Akas to the rescue for the home based Eagles.

54′ Tunisia make another change as Bguir comes on for Oueslati.

53′ GOOOOOOAAAALLLL! Chikatara puts Nigeria ahead; getting his fourth of the tournament. What a wonderful strike with a slight deflection.

51′ The Nigerians have been so quiet this afternoon and have been labourious in the defence.

49′ Issa Hayatou is also relaxing in the stands. The Super Eagles really need to ‘up their game’, the Tunisians are obviously hungrier for the lead.

47′ Mathlouthi with a delicious cross; as Ezenwa is called to duty in the early stages of this second half.

46′ Second half returns. Nigeria makes the first change as Stephen Eze comes off for Orji Kalu.

45′ Referee signals the end of the first half. Nigeria 0 – 0 Tunisia.

44′ GOOOOAAAALLL!!! OOohhhh…referee says the ball already crossed the line. Hamza with a cross just at the edge of the line and Akaichi heads home to put Tunisia ahead, but the assistant referee denies the North Africans with his flag. The officials felt the ball had already gone out before the cross. This would surely be a talking point.

43′ Tunisia Substitution: Aouadhi comes off for Meriah.

41′ Ifeanyi wins a freekick for Nigerian in a distinct goal-scoring position.

39′ Assistant referee flags down Akaichi in an offside position.

36′ Okoro with an in-swinger to Chikatara…..the striker just needed the slightest of touches to put Nigeria ahead. That was close!

34′ Etim squares the ball into the Tunisian danger area….cleared. Eze has been quite impressive; keeping tabs on Akaichi the Tunisian goal poacher.

32′ Great passes by the home based Eagles now, Chikatara, Akas, Aggreh….but the eventual ball through to Chikatara was too heavy. The Nigerian striker goes down the turf and appeals for a penalty. “Play-on” says the referee.

30′ Okoro loses possession unnecessarily again and gifts Tunisia a counter. Great interception by Usman of Taraba United.

27′ Another powerful strike on goal….., Ezenwa punches the ball to put Nigeria into the game. Tunisia looking good to get a goal.

25′ Great foot-walk by Chikatara as he nutmegs three players; he was eventually brought down earning Nigeria a freekick.

22′ Chikatara tries to square the ball through to Okoro, but it was properly intercepted by Boughattas.

20′ Chikatara, Aggreh has been kept quiet so far, as coach Sunday Oliseh gets up, dishing out instructions. Tunisia has been better in terms of possession.

17′ It’s been an even contest here; both teams creating chances.

14′ Ahmed Akaichi with a chance……Ezenwa saves for Nigeria. Akaichi who has two goals to his name already at this competition almost put his side here.

12′ The Super Eagles are now showing what they are made of. Nigeria now in charge of proceedings here. Still Nigeria 0 – 0 Tunisia.

10′ What a chance! That would have been an own goal; as Zied forces goalkeeper Jeridi to a delightful save.

8′ Monseh with a rough tackle on Nigerian captain Akas. “Freekick” says the referee.

6′ So far, both teams have been very cautious not to lose possession. However, the North Africans have looked dangerous.

4′ Matthew Etim couldn’t keep Onobi’s switch on the field. Throw-in to Tunisia.

2′ Ben Amor is brought down; as Tunisia wins a freekick deep into the Nigerian area.

1′ We are underway here, a win for Nigeria should surely shoot the Eagles to the quarter finals.
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