AFCON Last 16: Tunisia sink 10-man Nigeria,Burkina Faso overcome Gabon on pens. into quarters
Tunisia stunned 10-man Super Eagles of Nigeria to a 1-0 defeat in nerve-racking round of 16 match played at the Roumdé Adjia Stadium in Garoua Sunday evening.
The Eagles of Carthage are through to the quarter final stage at the on-going TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon 2021.
After a goalless first half skipper Youssef Msakni gave Tunisia the lead two minutes after recess. Maskni beat one defender and found space to shoot from outside the box.
Nigerian goalkeeper Emil Okoye had a touch on the ball, but it rested in the net.
The Nigerians missed a lot of chances ; Moses Simon, Wilfred Ndidi and Samuel Chukwueze had all missed chances early in the first five minutes.
The Eagles of Carthage held on to resist the wounded Super Eagles and in the end it was the Tunisians who stood tall in the colesium.
Burkina Faso overcome 10-man Gabon
Burkina Faso saw off resilient 10-man Gabonese side in hugely dramatic circumstances on Sunday to secure a place in the quarter finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.
His side held off a gallant rearguard action from 10-man Gabon to secure a 7-6 penalty shootout victory.
Burkina Faso won a penalty inside 13 minutes in the first knockout match of the tournament but Bertrand Traore fired the resulting penalty against the woodwork with keeper beaten.
Ismahila Ouedraogo netted the decisive kick and stripped off his shirt in celebration but he was overshadowed by Koffi’s acrobatic display.
Bertrand Traore who missed an early penalty scored the opener just before the half hour mark to put Burkina Faso ahead with a fine finish from Aboubacar Ouattara’s through ball.
Boupendza found the back of net for Gabon but he was flagged offside.
Gabon were reduced to 10 men after the dismissal of defender Sidney Obissa for a second booking on 65 minutes.
Captain Bruno Ecuele Manga rose high to head a corner which was turned in by Adama to send the match to extra time and finally extended into penalto shoot-out at the end of the extra-time.
Kanga, Yannis Yapende and Lloyd Palun missed for Gabon while Saidou Simpore and Abdoul Tapsoba failed to score for Burkina Faso.
Substitute Ismahila scored the all important winning penalty to send the Stallions through following a marathon shoot out.
Burkina Faso will play Tunisia in the quarter finals of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon 2021.
