'They double-teamed on Simon' - Eguavoen admits Super Eagles were troubled by Tunisia low-block

Published: January 24, 2022

Speaking at a press conference following Nigeria's 1-0 loss to Tunisia in the round of 16 at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, manager Augustine Eguavoen admitted that the Super Eagles could not break down the defence of the north Africans.

The Super Eagles went into the clash as overwhelming favourites after three straight wins in the group stage but couldn't find an answer to the defensive tactics adopted by the north Africans in last night's clash.

Just as Eguavoen instructed the players to double team on Mohamed Salah against Egypt, the 1994 AFCON winner got a taste of his own medicine, with the Tunisians preventing the Super Eagles wingers, Moses Simon in particular, from doing damage.

Eguavoen made it clear that the players did not underrate the Tunisians before stepping out onto the pitch and did not comment whether Alex Iwobi's red card in the 66th minute contributed to the loss.

"We came into the game very strong, Tunisians respected us we respected them as well so they formed their defence on a low block and then our ball movement from defence into midfield and attacking positions was sometimes slow.

"That gave them opportunity to always recover and double team on Simon and Chukwueze. We spoke about it when the game was on, it still didn't improve.

"In the first half we discussed it, in the second half the ball movement to the sides became a little bit faster but be that as it may the Tunisians forming a low block was a little bit difficult to crack down.

"I would say another congratulations to them but our boys gave it all but it just wasn't to be."

Nigeria's defeat to Tunisia is only the second time they have failed to qualify for the quarterfinals of the AFCON since their debut in the tournament in 1963.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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