Everton’s Alex Iwobi was sent off just five minutes after coming on to spare Nigeria’s blushes in their Africa Cup of Nations last-16 clash with Tunisia. With the Super Eagles trailing 1-0 courtesy of Youssef Msakni’s opener, Nigeria began to up the ante as they went in search of a leveller.
Manager Augustine Eguavoen felt it was time for a change on the hour mark, withdrawing Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho from the fray.
On went Iwobi, who was also joined by Slavia Prague’s Peter Olayinka but the former’s evening would not last long.
As Iwobi went to plant his foot while battling for the ball, the back of his studs caught his marker, who hit the deck immediately.
Although there didn’t look to be much malice in the challenge, Iwobi was handed a yellow card.
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However, the VAR officials soon advised the referee to take a trip to the pitch-side monitor to rewatch the incident.
Following a review, he opted to rescind the yellow card and instead pull out a red to the dismay of Iwobi.
It proved to be a shameful cameo for the former Arsenal man, who could barely believe what had just happened.
Nigeria headed into the tournament as one of the favourites and they soon made light work of Group D.
Conceding just one goal, Nigeria beat Egypt, Sudan and Guinea-Bissau to reach the last 16.
Iwobi had been hoping to earn a spot in the starting XI after his uncle Jay Jay Okocha urged interim boss Eguavoen to play him as a striker.
So far, the Everton forward has been playing out wide, where he has struggled to impact the game.
However, Iwobi would have to settle for a place on the bench before he eventually let his team-mates down.
Ten-man Nigeria struggled to break down Tunisia despite repeatedly banging on the door.
Former Rangers forward Umar Sadiq squandered a golden chance with just minutes to play as Nigeria crashed out of AFCON.
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