Nigeria host Tunisia in an international friendly match at the Jacques Leman Arena on Tuesday, October 13.
This will be the 20th time the two teams will be facing off in all competitions as both teams have won six games each while seven had ended in draws.
The Super Eagles will now hope they can enforce their superiority over the Carthage Eagles as they continue their preparations for their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sierra Leone next month.
Their earlier fixture against Algeria last weekend ended in defeat for Gernot Rohr’s men with Ramy Bensebaini scoring the only goal of the game.
Though inconsequential, victory in this outing will help Nigeria’s ranking when the FIFA rankings for this month is released.
21’ — Goaaaaallll
Kelechi Iheanacho puts Nigeria ahead with a superb left-foot strike from close range after making a stunning turn in the 18-yard box.
24’ — Samuel Chukwueze’s pass intercepted
Samuel Chukwueze tried setting up Kelechi Iheanacho for another goal but a Tunisian defender cut out the pass from reaching its destination.
26’ — Balogun averts danger
Leon Balogun was in the right position to head of Rafia Hamza’s precise cross from the right-wing as they look to restore parity before half-time.
28’ — Iheanacho misses penalty
Kelechi Iheanacho failed to double Nigeria’s lead from the spot-kick after the Tunisia goalkeeper denied him a chance. Ahmed Misa won the penalty for the hosts after being brought down in the 18-yard by Farouk Ben Mustapha.
36’ — Leon Balogun averts another danger Rangers defender Leon Balogun is having a swell time on the pitch after heading out Tunisia’s attacking move from the corner. The 32-year-old has been more than decent in the game
39’ — Iheanacho effort saved Moses Simon combined forced with Kelechi Iheanacho to double Nigeria’s lead but Farouk Ben Mustapha rather parried the ball to the corner.
42’ — Moses Simon tormenting
Tunisia’s defence Moses Simon has been impressive in the left-wing as he constantly dribbles his way beyond the defenders but his teammates have however failed to convert his deliveries.
44’ — Gooooaaaalllll Tunisia restore parity with a superb strike with seconds towards the end of the opening half. Mohamed Draeger powered home a close-range shot after connecting with a low cross from the left-wing.
46’ — Nigeria kick off second half
The players are back on the pitch with the Super Eagles playing from left to right as they also kick off the resumption for the rest of the encounter.
48’ — Nigeria wins corner
Moses Simon wins a corner kick for Nigeria after sending a nice delivery into Tunisia’s 18-yard box with Ahmed Musa making a run towards the ball but the opposition sent the ball out of play.
50’ — Okoye’s save
Maduka Okoye rose high-up to punch Tunisia’s corner out of his danger zone but Ahmed Musa failed to make good use of the clearance.
57’ — Tactical substitution for Nigeria
Leon Balogun leaves the pitch for Chigozie Awaziem in a tactical substitution for Nigeria as Gernot Rohr tried refreshing his team before the hour mark.
66’ — Jamilu Collins in, Saidu Sanusi out
Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr makes his second substitution in the game as Jamilu Collins comes in for Saidu Sanusi out with less than 30 minutes of play. The 26-year-old made his debut for the three-time African champions.
76’ — Tunisia’s move
Tunisia tried unlocking Nigeria’s defence but Jamilu Collins intercepted the move and helped avert the danger at the edge of his side’s 18-yard box.
78’ — Maduka Okoye’s save
Nigeria’s goalkeeper Maduka Okoye stopped Tunisian forward from putting his side in a move that ended up being flagged up for offside.
81’ — Awaziem’s clearance
Second-half substitute Chigozie Awaziem wins a free-kick after clearing out a move from the opposition at the end of his side’s danger zone.
85’ — Iheanacho’s waste
Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho failed to take advantage of Farouk Ben Mustapha’s poor ball service to his players after he was dispossessed by the opponent while trying to make a move.
87’ — Chidera Ejuke’s dribbles
Debutant Chidera Ejuke showed off his quality after dribbling past Tunisia’s defenders a few times before releasing the ball to his teammate but they failed to make any use of the ball in the end.
Ejuke replaced Villarreal winger Samuel Chukwueze was enterprising for the most part of the time he stayed on the pitch.
90’ — Okoye’s save
Maduka Okoye pulled a stunning save for Nigeria in the late minutes of the game after Mohamed Draeger tried doubling his side’s lead with a dropping ball. He would have scored a brace if he succeeded with the move.
92’ — 3 additional minutes added
Three minutes have been added to the game with both Nigeria and Tunisia trying hard to take advantage of either side to take the lead.
93’ — 1-1 it ends
Nigeria and Tunisia ended up playing 1-1 in their international friendly game in Austria as the referee signals final whistle.
