There is no point in winning its three matches in the first round if it is to fall from the start of the knockout phase, against Tunisia which it had won only one match.
It is she who will face Burkina Faso in the quarter-finals on January 29, in the position of favorite, after this controlled match, when she lacked many positive players for Covid.
Bombarded favorites for the variety of their offensive game, the "Super Eagles" disappointed.
They lost the Aquiline duel against the "Eagles of Carthage", qualified as best third after two defeats.
A magnificent strike from Youssef Msakni, on which Maduka Okoye did not have a firm enough hand (47th), was enough for the Tunisians.
Nigeria reacted, but Augustine Eguavoen had the unfortunate coaching.
Alex Iwobi, who came on for Kelechi Iheanacho, was sent off five minutes later.
By tackling Msakni, he slips on the ball and hits the Tunisian striker.
From yellow at first, the card becomes red after consulting the VAR (64th)
The greens continued to push, but lacked precision.
Moses Simon lost a face-to-face in front of goalkeeper Bechir Ben Saïd (66th), and Umar Sadiq crunched an equalizing ball by crossing his shot too much (90th + 1).
In the first half, the two teams remained very timid, with only one action on either side, a recovery from Montassar Talbi saved on his line by Wilfred Ndidi (10th), and a strike from Joe Aribo, after a good control, deviated (12th).
Interim coach Eguavoen, appointed after the dismissal of Gernot Rohr a month before the start of the CAN, hoped to be extended.
He may have to leave his place as planned to the Portuguese José Peseiro.
Because the Super Eagles must quickly dry their tears.
They play the World Cup play-offs against Ghana, another African giant even more disappointing than them at the CAN, eliminated in the first round.
© 2022 AFP