AFCON 2021: Nigeria’s round of 16 opponents revealed

The three-time African champions qualified with a perfect record in Group D, but they are in for a tough round of 16 tie 

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will meet Tunisia in the second round of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations after the Carthage Eagles finished third in Group F.

The Super Eagles had secured their place in the round of 16 following the second round of group games, but they had to wait until the completion of the group stages to know their opponent.

Going into the final round of group games on Thursday, the three-time African champions knew they would meet the third-place team in Group F.

The group had Mali, Gambia, Tunisia and Mauritania, with the first three all in with a chance of finishing top of the table.

However, at the end of the day, Mali finished top with seven points after beating Mauritania, with the Gambia in second place after claiming a shock 1-0 win over Tunisia.

The Carthage Eagles had to win to finish in the top two, but Ablie Jallow’s stunning strike in the third minute of added time condemned them to a defeat and third place in the group.

Their cause was also not helped after Seifeddine Jaziri missed a penalty in the first half.

The 2004 champions qualified as one of the four best third-place teams and will now meet the most impressive side in the tournament so far in what will be a repeat of the third-place match at the 2019 AFCON.

On that occasion, Nigeria secured a 1-0 win courtesy of an Odion Ighalo early strike.

Meanwhile, the other round of 16 fixtures will see Gabon take on Burkina Faso, with the winner meeting Nigeria if they get past Tunisia.

Hosts, Cameroon will take on giant-killers and the tournament surprise package Comoros. Morocco will take on Malawi, while the Teranga Lions of Senegal have a date with Cape Verde.

The biggest tie of the second round will see Ivory Coast take on seven-time champions Egypt, while Mali will clash with another surprise package in Equatorial Guinea.

AFCON 2021 round of 16 ties

Burkina Faso v Gabon
Nigeria v Tunisia
Guinea v Gambia
Cameroon v Comoros
Senegal v Cape Verde
Morocco v Malawi
Ivory Coast v of Egypt
Mali v Equatorial Guinea.