The Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 kicks off today with a heavyweight clash between Nigeria and Tunisia perhaps the premier tie of the round.

The 2019 semi-finalists go face to face at Roumde Adjia Stadium knowing that Burkina Faso await the winner in next week’s quarter-final.

Nigeria were the only team to qualify from the group stages with a 100 per cent record, after strong wins over Egypt, Sudan and Guinea-Bissau. Tunisia, meanwhile, scraped through in Group F as the third-placed team, behind Mali and Gambia.

While the Super Eagles have won the AFCON trophy three times, Tunisia’s only triumph came on home soil in 2004. But Mondher Kebaier’s side are no strangers to big matches having at least reached the last eight in the last three tournaments.

It has been a wild, unpredictable cup so far – and we can expect more of the same as the knockout stages begin.