| Goals | Goals |
|---|---|
| 17. William N'Gounou (9’) | 7. Youssef Msakni (4’) |
| 17. Issam Jemaa (90’) |
Niger can be proud in defeat
Niger’s loss to Tunisia in their 2012
Africa Cup of Nations Group C clash was yet more evidence that the gap between
the traditional big guns in Africa and the so-called minnows is closing.
The Nigeriens were unfortunate on a
number of fronts in this game, first all missing a number of superb scoring
opportunities, and then conceding a 90th minutes goal to lose a share of the
points.
They will now exit the competition, but
can do so with their heads held high, whatever the result in their pool game
against Morocco.
That is because not many people outside
of Niger expected them to come to this tournament and compete.
They are a side of physically powerful
players, lacking perhaps in technique but certainly giving their all for their
country.
They had a chance to make history on
Friday with a first finals win, but fluffed their lines, however they can be
pleased with the progress they have made to this point that suggests a brighter
future for them as well.
Tunisia can count themselves fortunate.
Whether it was complacency after scoring that fourth minute goal through
Youssef Msakni, following on from the excellent win over Morocco in their
opener, only they will know.
But this game showed that they do have a
soft under-belly and if exposed they are ripe for the picking.
It suggests that getting beyond the
quarterfinals will be difficult, though they will belive they can play better
than this.
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