Super Eagles Hang On To Draw With Tunisia

It was a one-all draw between Tunisia and Nigeria in the 2016 African Nations Championship Group C clash on Friday in Kigali.

Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh made three changes to his starting line for the game with Chisom Chikatara, Austin Obaroakpo and Usman Mohammed all getting their first starts in Rwanda.

In the opening eight minutes, the Carthage Eagles had the ball in the net but it was ruled out for offside.

Ten minutes into the match, Ifeanyi Matthew saw his cut-back almost turned home by the under pressure Tunisian defence. The danger was averted.

One minute later, Chisom Chikatara had his first chance but his effort was blocked after good work from Usman Mohammed.

It was a game that was full of attacking flavour.

Ahmed Akaichi beat Stephen Eze for pace but the Sunshine Stars defender blocked his shot in the fifteenth minute.

The skillful Akaichi was at his tricky best again one minute later. This time his excellent delivery was smartly saved by Ikechukwu Ezenwa.

The Carthage Eagles were more purposeful in the first half and they had two chances to be on the front foot.

Abdelkader Oueslati’s 23 metres strike was palmed away by Super Eagles goalkeeper Ezenwa three minutes to the half-hour mark.

Oueslati missed a close range chance after a good cross from the right in the 28th minute.

Super Eagles launched a foray upfront, with Osas Okoro crossing to the path of Chikatara. However the Tunisian defence line cleared to safety.

The Tunisians were denied a legitimate goal by the match referee in the 45th minute. Ali Malloul’s teasing cross was headed home by Akaichi but the goal was ruled out.

The assistant referee thought the ball had crossed the line when the cross was whipped to the path of Akaichi. Replays showed the match officials were wrong.

Seven minutes into the second half, Nigeria went ahead against the run of play and it was Chikatara the goal scorer after he was set up by Osas Okoro for his 4th goal of the tournament.

On the hour mark, Prince Aggreh failed to make the most of a through ball by Mohammed.

The mobile Akaichi came close for Tunisia, but his header was off target in the 63rd minute of explosive action.

Tunisia deservedly drew level twenty minutes from time. Akaichi turned inside the box and scored his third goal of the tournament.

The Carthage Eagles came close to taking the lead fro the again, but Kalu cleared it off the line as Tunisia piled on more pressure.

Ikechukwu Ibenegbu came close but his final effort missed target in the 81st minute. Ezenwa saved a strike from Mathlouthi as Tunisia searched for the winner one minute from time

The game ended one-all with the Tunisians the better side.

How The Two Teams Lined Up

Super Eagles: Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Matthew Etim, Chima Akas, Austin Obaroakpo, Stephen Eze (Orji Kalu 46’), Paul Onobi, Ifeanyi Matthew, Osas Okoro, Prince Aggreh (Ezekiel Bassey 81’), Usman Mohammed (Ikechukwu Ibenegbu 71’), Chisom Chikatara

Tunisia: Rami Jeridi, Hamza Mathlouthi, Zied Boughattas, Zied Derbali, Ali Maaloul, Karim Aouadhi, Marouane Tej, Abdelkader Oueslati, Amine Ben Amor, Mohamed Ali Moncer, Ahmed Akaichi

Photo Credit : thenff.com