Besiktas of Turkey midfielder, Wilfred Onyinyen Ndidi has recalled the reminiscence of what he described as a ‘painful loss’ by the Tremendous Eagles towards Tunisia on the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, Sports247 stories.
The date was January 23, 2022 and the venue Roumde Adja Stadium in Garoua, Cameroon, the place a forty seventh minute shot from distance by Msakni made all of the distinction for Tunisia.
Of Nigeria’s two ‘villains’ from that defeat, Udinese of Italy goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, who couldn’t cease the lengthy vary shot from going into his internet, is just not within the present squad, however current is Fulham of England midfielder, Alex Iwobi, who performed as an alternative however bought a 66th minute pink card.
Additionally there on that unhappy date in historical past and nonetheless current within the Tremendous Eagles’ squad at AFCON 2025 had been Zaidu Sanusi, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Chidozie Awaziem, Francis Uzoho, Semi Ajayi and Frank Onyeka.
Nevertheless, Ndidi, who performed all 90 minutes of that ill-fated spherical of 16 encounter, insists that the setback won’t be repeated in Saturday’s conflict with the identical North African nation on the ongoing 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
Ndidi burdened that the ‘painful loss’ won’t happen a second time as a result of it’s a brand new squad that’s presently representing Nigeria, below a unique coach at AFCON 2025.
The previous Nath Boys of Lagos, RKC Genk of Belgium and Leicester Metropolis of England centre-back-turned-holding-midfielder added that reminiscence of the unhappy day additionally makes every of the Eagles’ gamers decided to keep away from a repeat.
Ndidi recalled, “It was a painful loss. But it surely provides us extra confidence. After we talked about it, the blokes had been actually ready. We don’t need to take into consideration what occurred. We simply need to face this one.
“It’s undoubtedly a brand new staff, with good gamers and a very good group. It’s about development, a brand new era, and we are literally right here to set our personal requirements. We’re right here to attain our objectives.”
