LIVE â Updated at 18:58
Nigeria vs Tunisia â LIVE!
The Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 kicks off today with a heavyweight clash between Nigeria and Tunisia perhaps the premier tie of the round.
The 2019 semi-finalists go face to face at Roumde Adjia Stadium knowing that Burkina Faso await the winner in next weekâs quarter-final.
Nigeria were the only team to qualify from the group stages with a 100 per cent record, after strong wins over Egypt, Sudan and Guinea-Bissau. Tunisia, meanwhile, scraped through in Group F as the third-placed team, behind Mali and Gambia.
While the Super Eagles have won the AFCON trophy three times, Tunisiaâs only triumph came on home soil in 2004. But Mondher Kebaierâs side are no strangers to big matches having at least reached the last eight in the last three tournaments.
It has been a wild, unpredictable cup so far â and we can expect more of the same as the knockout stages begin.
With kick-off at 7pm in Garoua, follow all the action with Standard Sportâs live blogâŠ
Everything you need to know ahead of the game
- Kick-off: 7pm GMT | Roumde Adjia Stadium
- How can I watch the match live in the UK?
- Nigeria XI: Back to first-choice line-up
- Tunisia XI: Three changes
- Evening Standard score prediction
18:58 , Marc Mayo
Nigeria are being backed for victory by Emmanuel Adebayor.
The ex-Togo striker, who enjoyed a club career with Arsenal, Tottenham and Real Madrid, told fans pre-game: âOriginally, my parents are from Nigeria, and I am a Nigerian, so you guys have to win for me.
âIf you donât want to win for yourself, it is your problem, but win for me. Super Eagles, we need to celebrate, we need to party, we need to dance.â
18:57 , Marc Mayo
El Hadji Diouf also believes Tunisia are capable of both the amazing and the awful.
âI have always said that I consider the Tunisian team to be Italy of the African continent,â ex-Senegal star Diouf said to Mosaique FM.
âThey can come to the stadium and play a good match. They can get to the stadium and sleep on the field.â
Burkina Faso are through!
18:54 , Marc Mayo
We have a result! Itâs penalty shootout glory for Burkina Faso!
They will face the winner of Nigeria versus TunisiaâŠ
Still going in LimbeâŠ
18:53 , Marc Mayo
Twice now we have seen Gabon miss immediately followed by a Burkina Faso miss! Itâs 6-6âŠ
18:50 , Marc Mayo
Wilfred Ndidi has outlined the difference between life under Augustine Eguavoen and Gernot Rohr in the Nigeria squad.
Rohr was sacked in December and Leicester midfielder Ndidi said this week: âIt is the same team but different philosophy.
âAnd itâs just the fact that our current manager just made us understand and made everything simple, basic.
âAnd he just helps us believe in ourselves and also gives us the push actually to express ourselves and the freedom also to express ourselves.â
Managers in profile
18:46 , Marc Mayo
Another manager who has largely plied his trade on home soil, Augustine Eguavoen is out to deliver a fourth AFCON trophy to Nigeria.
Having enjoyed a long career in Belgium as a striker, the 56-year-old took up management in his home country after retiring in 2000.
An initial spell with the Super Eagles fives years later led to a third-placed finish in the 2006 tournament before he returned in December as interim following Gernot Rohrâs exit.
Nothing can separate Gabon and Burkina Faso after the first three penalties for each team â itâs 3-3 in Limbe.
Managers in profile
18:40 , Marc Mayo
Mondher Kebaier is a stalwart of Tunisian football who has been in charge of the national team since 2019.
The former defender, 51, played for CA Bizertin before stepping into the dugout and working with the likes of AS Marsa and Etoile du Sahel.
However, with his contract due up this year and big expectations from fans, can he deliver a vital victory today?
Former Nigeria international Daniel Amokachi came up with a curious analogy to describe the Super Eaglesâ opponents ahead of the gameâŠ
âWe are soaring to the finals, but one day at a time,â he stated. âWe know the game will be tricky.
âTunisia is like the British weather, today they are s*****, the next second, they are flying. So we have to win it.â
Burkina Faso and Gabon are heading for penaltiesâŠ
18:26 , Marc Mayo
Unlike their opponents, Tunisia have been consistent qualifiers for the Cup of Nations but have a poor record at this stage.
Since winning the tournament for the only time in 2004, they have lost in the first knockout round five times.
That includes a 6-5 defeat on penalties in the 2006 quarter-finals â although they did down Nigeria en route to their trophy triumph two years earlier.
18:21 , Marc Mayo
Nigeria have a bit of an on/off relationship with the Africa Cup of Nations.
Finishing third last time out followed two tournaments which they failed to qualify for â having won the cup in 2013.
They also failed to qualify for the 2012 AFCON after a string of third-placed finishes between 2002 and 20, with four semi-final defeats in five tournaments.
The Super Eagles sample the pre-game atmosphere
18:17 , Marc Mayo
Feeling the turf doings!!! #SoarSuperEagles #Team9jaStrong #AFCON2021 pic.twitter.com/aoO4emHl3s
â đłđŹ Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) January 23, 2022
18:14 , Marc Mayo
Two changes at the back for Tunisia with Youssef Msakni coming in up top as part of their 4-3-3 system.
Nigeria rested a number of stars for their final group game so this side is the same as the one that took on Sudan in their second game.
High spirits on the Nigeria bus!
18:11 , Marc Mayo
We meuve!!! #SoarSuperEagles #Team9jaStrong #AFCON2021 pic.twitter.com/4ALZpMh3Z9
â đłđŹ Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) January 23, 2022
Tunisiaâs starting line-upâŠ
18:00 , Marc Mayo
Tunisia XI: Ben Said; Haddadi, Ifa, Talbi, Drager; Laidouni, Skhiri, Ben Slimane; Msakni, Jaziri, Rafia.
How Nigeria line upâŠ
17:59 , Marc Mayo
Nigeria XI: Okoye; Aina, Troost-Ekong, Omeruo, Sanusi; Ndidi, Aribo; Chukwueze, Simon, Iheanacho; Awoniyi.
17:57 , Marc Mayo
Team news coming up!
17:51 , Marc Mayo
Theyâre going into extra-time in Limbe after an injury-time own goal from Adama Guira earns Gabon a leveller!
GABON HAVE SNATCHED A GOAL IN STOPPAGE TIME! đź
The ball catches Guira and flies past the Burkina Faso keeper âœ
Extra time it is! đ pic.twitter.com/Luw7vICp2I
â Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 23, 2022
Burkina Faso vs Gabon update
17:42 , Marc Mayo
Itâs still 1-0 in Limbe with Burkina Faso looking good for a spot in the quarter-finals.
With five minutes to go, Bertrand Traoreâs goal is the difference and Gabon are down to ten men after Sidney Obissaâs red card.
17:37 , Marc Mayo
After these two teams lost in the 2019 AFCON semi-finals, they faced off in the third-place play-off in CairoâŠ
On that occasion, an early Odion Ighalo goal was enough to give Nigeria the victory.
Ighalo was on the scoresheet the last time Naija met Tunisia. #AFCON2021 pic.twitter.com/2Dm8H7PLJT
â #AFCON2021 (@EricNjiiru) January 23, 2022
Head-to-head record
17:32 , Marc Mayo
The Super Eagles are unbeaten in their last six meetings with the Eagles of Carthage.
Nigeria wins: 6
Draws: 8
Tunisia wins: 6
Standard Sport score prediction
17:26 , Marc Mayo
Frankly, itâs hard to look past the Super Eagles following their performances in the group stage.
Nigeria to win 2-0.
Over in LimbeâŠ
17:15 , Marc Mayo
Burkina Faso lead Gabon early in the second-half of the other last-16 tie tonight.
The winner will face the victor of our game in Garoua, with Bertrand Traore setting his side on their way with their only shot on target so far!
Cool as you like from TraorĂ© đ
The Aston Villa forward makes amends from his early penalty miss by burying Burkina Fasoâs first goal of the afternoon đ§đ« pic.twitter.com/3nVwCwejTk
â Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 23, 2022
17:09 , Marc Mayo
Tunisia predicted XI: Said; Mathlouthi, Ifa, Talbi, Abdi; Slimane, Skhiri, Laidouni; Mejbri, Rafia, Jaziri.
17:04 , Marc Mayo
Nigeria predicted XI: Okoye; Aina, Omeruo, Ekong, Zaidu; Ndidi, Aribo; Iheanacho, Simon, Chukwueze; Awoniyi.
16:59 , Marc Mayo
Tunisia were ravaged by Covid cases before their final group game against Gambia, with seven players including captain Wahbi Khazri missing out.
The upcoming team news will largely depend on how many can return for the North Africans.
Reserve keeper Farouk Ben Mustapha is suspended after his red card during a fracas in their last game.
Early team news
16:55 , Marc Mayo
Nigeria made eight changes in their final group game against Sudan and coach Augustine Eguavoen is set to revert back to the formula that gave them such a good start to the tournament.
They have no fresh reported injury issues in their squad.
How to watch
16:47 , Marc Mayo
TV channel: The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports Mix.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers will be able to watch the game through the Sky Go App.
Good evening!
16:47 , Marc Mayo
Welcome to Standard Sportâs coverage of the Africa Cup of Nations last-16 tie between Nigeria and Tunisia.
It promises to be a big night in Garoua, so strap yourself in as we await the team newsâŠ
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