Nigeria captain Wilfred Ndidi says the Super Eagles will use the memory of their shock defeat to Tunisia at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations as motivation when the two sides meet again in the group stage on Friday.
Five years ago, Nigeria entered the round-of-16 clash as overwhelming favourites after a flawless group campaign that included a win over seven-time champions Egypt. Tunisia, by contrast, scraped through as one of the best third-placed teams. However, the Carthage Eagles stunned Nigeria with a 1-0 victory, capitalising on a defensive error and a red card shown to Alex Iwobi.
Speaking ahead of Friday’s encounter, Ndidi described the defeat as a painful moment but insisted the current squad is focused on the present.
“It was a painful loss in 2021,” Ndidi said at the pre-match press conference. “The guys were really prepared for that game. But this is a new team with good players. We don’t want to dwell on the past, we want to face this match with confidence and motivation.”
The former Leicester City midfielder added that lessons have been learned from that setback.
“We talk about it, and it’s not going to happen twice, hopefully.”
Nigeria have received a morale boost at the tournament from the presence of former Super Eagles striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni, who recently visited the team camp. Ndidi stressed the importance of such support.
“It is very important for ex-internationals to be with us and speak positively,” he said. “These are players we grew up looking up to, so their encouragement gives the team confidence.”
Despite Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, Ndidi insists the squad is not under pressure as they pursue continental success.
“There is no pressure at all,” he said. “This tournament is another opportunity to correct the wrongs. The players, the coach, everyone is ready.”
Nigeria opened their AFCON campaign with a win over Tanzania, though defensive lapses and missed chances remain concerns. Defender Semi Ajayi acknowledged the need for improvement, particularly in finishing games more convincingly.
Coach Eric Chelle echoed those sentiments, praising his team’s mentality after conceding against Tanzania but admitting tactical adjustments are needed. He also played down Victor Osimhen’s visible frustration after being substituted, saying the matter had been handled internally.
“I made some choices against Tanzania—some good, some not,” Chelle said. “I have analysed the game and will make the best decisions for the match against Tunisia.”
As Nigeria prepare to face familiar opponents, the Super Eagles hope past disappointment will fuel a more decisive performance this time around.
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