Perennial favourites Nigeria start their Girls’s Africa Cup of Nations marketing campaign with a Group B conflict in opposition to Tunisia on Sunday on the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca. Kick-off is ready for 17:00 native time (16:00 GMT).
This would be the second assembly between Nigeria and Tunisia at WAFCON. The one earlier encounter was in 2008, when the perimeters performed out a goalless attract Bata, Equatorial Guinea.
Nigeria – Match Heavyweights
Nigeria come into the match with a protracted and dominant historical past within the competitors. They’ve been topped African champions 9 occasions, greater than some other crew. The Tremendous Falcons have reached the semi-finals in all 12 of their earlier WAFCON appearances and have performed probably the most matches on the finals (61), profitable 45, drawing 9 and shedding simply 7. They’ve scored a file 176 objectives and conceded solely 28.
This will probably be Nigeria’s thirty seventh group-stage match on the finals. They’ve misplaced solely 3 times within the group stage—in 2002 to Ghana, and to South Africa in 2018 and 2022.
Towards North African groups, Nigeria are unbeaten in open play at WAFCON, with 4 wins and two attracts. They’ve scored 25 objectives and conceded only one in six such matches. Nevertheless, they misplaced on penalties to Morocco within the 2022 semi-finals after a 1-1 draw.
Nigeria’s current file in opening matches is much less dominant. After profitable their first 10 event openers (W8 D2), they’ve misplaced their final two—each to South Africa. Nonetheless, they’ve stored six clear sheets of their 12 openers and scored 40 objectives.
Their final qualifier was a 5-0 win at dwelling and 2-1 win away in opposition to Cabo Verde in late 2023.
Tunisia – Hoping for Progress
Tunisia are making their third WAFCON look. They debuted in 2008 and returned in 2022, the place they reached the quarter-finals for the primary time. This will probably be their fifth match in opposition to West African opposition on the finals.
Tunisia’s file at WAFCON stands at one win, two attracts and 5 losses. Their solely win got here of their 2022 opener in opposition to Togo (4-1). Since then, they’ve gone 4 matches with out scoring, together with a goalless draw with Senegal within the 2023 World Cup play-offs, which they misplaced on penalties.
Their solely draw within the group stage was the 0-0 outcome in opposition to Nigeria in 2008. They’ve stored simply two clear sheets of their eight WAFCON matches—each in opposition to West African groups.
Tunisia certified for the 2024 finals by defeating Niger 12-1 on mixture and Congo 6-3. Ahead Sabrine Ellouzi was the standout participant, scoring seven objectives throughout the qualifiers. She and Mariem Houij, Tunisia’s all-time high scorer, will probably be key in assault.
Head-to-Head at WAFCON
2008: Tunisia 0–0 Nigeria
Nigeria WAFCON file vs North African groups: Performed 6 Gained 4 Drawn 2 Misplaced 0
Tunisia WAFCON file vs West African groups: Performed 4 Gained 1 Drawn 2 Misplaced 1
What to Count on
Nigeria will probably be anticipated to manage the match and push for an early win to set the tone in Group B. Tunisia will purpose to be organised and hope their forwards can take their probabilities. Nigeria’s expertise and firepower give them the sting, however Tunisia have proven they are often arduous to interrupt down, particularly in opposition to West African groups.
A quick begin from both aspect might form the rhythm of the sport, however all eyes will probably be on Nigeria to ship after two straight opening-match losses.