Battle of Eagles : Eguavoen highlights two key strengths of Tunisia, hints at change in tactics

Nigeria will be taking on Tunisia in a 2021 Africa Cup of Nations clash billed as the 'Battle of the Eagles' on Sunday, January 23 at the Roumdé Adjia Stadium, Garoua.

The Super Eagles qualified for the round of sixteen with maximum nine points while the Eagles of Carthage made it to the knockout stage by virtue of being one of the best third placed teams.

Nigeria's caretaker manager Augustine Eguavoen has stressed that he might tinker with his tactics to ensure the Super Eagles are victorious.

Speaking to NFF TV, Eguavoen said : "Congratulations to our team for qualifying, now it is clear we are playing against Tunisia which is a strong north African team.

"We will continue to work hard like we've always done, same approach, same determination, tactics 'might' differ a little bit so we are ready.

"Yesterday we did a little bit of recovery training so today we start working on how we will approach Tunisia game."

Eguavoen acknowledged that he has been doing some opposition scouting even before they were drawn against Tunisia in the round of sixteen.

The 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winner has highlighted two key strengths of the north African giants - technically good team and have pace.

"They have ups and downs. The first game ended in a dramatic fashion, they have lost two penalties in two games open play and yesterday they lost narrowly but it was the end of the game.

"For them, having qualified for the knockout stage it is a different ball game, you know what knockout stage is, round of 16 if you don't get it you're off, if you get it you are through to the quarterfinals.

"It's going to be a very different game.It is a good team. Technically they are very good, they are fast as well, typical north African team so we will find a way to see how we will counter them and make sure we come out top at the end of the day."

Nigeria have already defeated north African opposition in the form of Egypt in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.

Igho Kingsley