Official Nigeria’s starting XI vs Tunisia: Awoniyi, Aribo return as Eguavoen names strong lineup

The Super Eagles are favourites against the depleted Carthage Eagles, and they will be looking for a straightforward win over the North Africans

Super Eagles interim head coach Augustine Eguavoen has recalled the eleven players who started Nigeria’s first two matches – against Egypt and Sudan – at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

That means the eight players Eguavoen rested in the last group match against Guinea-Bissau are back in the starting lineup as the team gets set to face Tunisia.

Union Berlin striker Taiwo Awoniyi will lead the line for the Super Eagles, flanked on either wing by Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon in this crucial second-round clash at the Roumde Adjia Stadium this evening.

Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo, defenders Ola Aina, Zaidu Sanusi, and Kenneth Omeruo, who played no part in Saturday’s 2-0 win over the Wild Dogs, are back in the team.

The Super Eagles are the favourites to beat the Carthage Eagles, having won their three matches in Cameroon so far. Tunisia, on the other hand, managed only one win – a 4-0 triumph over Mauritania – while suffering defeats to Mali and Gambia.

The last time these two sides met at the Afcon at the third-place playoff of Egypt 2019, an early Odion Ighalo strike handed Nigeria a narrow win.

Senegalese official Maguette Ndiaye is the centre referee in charge of the match.

Super Eagles official team sheet:
Okoye; Aina, Troost-Ekong, Omeruo, Sanusi; Ndidi, Aribo; Chukwueze, Simon; Awoniyi, Iheanacho. 

Tunisia official team sheet:
Bechir Ben Said; Mohamed Draeger, Bilel Ifa, Montassar Talbi, Oussama Haddadi; Anis Ben Slimane, Ellyes Skhiri, Aissa Laidouni; Hamza Rafia, Seifeddine Jaziri, Youssef Msakni.