NGA vs TUN Dream11 Team: Nigeria look to put behind them the chastening semi-final defeat at the hands of Algeria when the fight for the bronze medal today
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They went into their semi-final against Algeria heavily touted to go the distance and walk away with the glistening trophy under their arms, but for Nigeria the predicaments of their group stage encounters resurfaced. With a shaky defence unable to show solidarity and the frontline failing to function at its exuberant best, the side were defeated 2-1 by Algeria to find themselves vying for the bronze medal today.
In Nigeria, we have one of the biggest underachievers from this campaign of the Africa Cup Of Nations, one which has seen several stalwarts fail to live up to their billing. Going into the last four as the only side to have lifted the trophy on more than one occasion, the expectations from Nigeria were high after their up rise in form over the course of the knock-out stages.
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Having defeated South Africa and Cameroon, Nigeria failed to repose the faith accorded in them as they went down 2-1 against Algeria. Elsewhere for Tunisia, it was a much more equally contested battle with Senegal with the side pushing their opponents all the way into extra-time.
Holding out Senegal for the entirety of the 90 minutes, Tunisia were unfortunate as they finally ended up conceding in extra-time with the solitary goal deciding the fixture. The two sides are now up against each other today as they look to put behind them the dejection of the semi-finals and wrap up their sojourn with a medal.
Probable Winner
With both these sides have enjoyed similar outings in the tournament up till now, coming out with a winner from today’s encounter is a tricky proposition. Both the sides have displayed glimpses of the exuberant attacking skill set they have at their disposal with Tunisia defeating Madagascar 3-0 while Nigeria overcame the mighty Cameroon side 3-2.
Expect this to be a match where the goals are easy to come by. Both the sides will be looking to revel us in their true potential as they step out to the pitch one final time in the tournament. We see Nigeria winning this one solely in the wake of their more experienced and articulate attacking line-up, one which should see them scamper to a win today.
Goal-Keeper for NGA vs TUN Dream11
Don’t expect a cleansheet to be kept in this fixture. A third place match often sees both the sides pay all their attentions to the attacking part of the game, looking to implore the goals and this match should be no different.
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Based on that, we have opted for Tunisia’s shot stopper Mouez Hassen to come in for us for this match. He saved a penalty against Senegal, one which was preceded by two cleansheets and has emerged as one of the best goal-keepers across the tournament.
Defenders for NGA vs TUN Dream11
Building on the same narrative, we have only three defenders being indulged by us for this encounter. We’ll begin first with the selection from Nigeria with Kenneth Omeruo being opted by us given his penchant to find himself a goal. His incredible display against Ghana is not forgotten by us, one where his affinity to get into the opposition’s attacking half saw him get points galore in Dream 11.
Elsewhere from Tunisia we have a two man partnership of Oussama Haddadi and Yassine Meriah being included into our outfit. The side’s unprecedented success at the tournament has been down to the discipline imbued into their backline with their ability to parry away sides helping the side flourish.
Midfielders for NGA vs TUN Dream11
A trivalent comes in from the land of the Nigerian unit for us with Ahmed Musa, Wilfred Ndidi and Peter Etebo all being chosen by us. If Nigeria are to scour their way past an extremely tedious Tunisia defence, the three need to intertwine their abilities and help capitalise on the chances that fall their way.
From Tunisia meanwhile is the deadly partnership of Ellyes Skhiri and Youssef Msakni who come in for us. Their side’s best options in the attacking department, the two have taken the brunt of scoring on themselves to deliver incisive performances and we see them upping the mantle today as well.
Strikers for NGA vs TUN Dream11
The two strikers over here for us with the one from either side coming in. Both the sides play with a formation that sees them dole out the lone striker up the park and this sees us go ahead with Wahbi Khazri from Tunisia.
From Nigeria we have Odion Ighalo, a player who has perfectly epitomised inconsistency this tournament. While he’s the player to have been dispossessed the maximum times at the tournament, he has also had games where he’s come up with goals and we see him scoring another today.
Captain And Vice-Captain for NGA vs TUN Dream11
Wahab Khazri has been opted for as the captain for this match while from Nigeria we have Etebo being made the vice-captain.
Match Details
Africa Cup Of Nations 2019
Match: Tunisia Vs Nigeria Third Place Match
Date And Time: 18th July, Thursday- 12:30am IST
Venue: Al-Salam Stadium