Nigeria's 'Super Eagles' have beaten the reigning African Cup of Nations champions, Tunisia's 'Carthage Eagles' after a dramatic penalty shoot-out which ended 6-5, after their African Cup of Nations quarter-final tie finished after extra-time 1-1.

This was a repeat of the 2004 African Cup of Nations semi-final, which Tunisia went on to win, and Nigeria held their nerve at the end to avenge their defeat to Tunisia on penalties in their Nations Cup semi-final.

Tunisia coach Roger Lemerre was gracious in defeat, saying after the match: "We beat them in 2004, they beat us today. It's disappointing, but we have to accept it."

"We lost against a team that sets a high standard for African football."

The match saw Nigeria taking the lead in the 5th minute when Obinna Nsofor opened the scoring from an Ali Boumnijel cross.

Nigeria created the better chances in the first half, and deserved to be the team in the lead going in at the break, but could have scored more, with Jose Clayton failing to capitalise from the penalty spot with Enyeama making a great save after Joseph Enakarhire had fouled Zied Jaziri in the box.

Tunisia had their chances, with Hamed Namouchi going close after connecting a with a floating free-kick, and Tunisia top-striker Francileudo dos Santos heading wide.

Roger Lemerre substituted Ajax star Hatem Trabelsi at half-time and Tunisia came out after the restart with a different attitude.

After having coped with Nigeria's initial attacks they managed to work their way back into the game and equalised through Karem Haggui's bullet header just after the break.

Nigeria still had the majority of play though, with Boumnijel saving John Utaka's header after a cross from young star John Mikel Obi, and Nsofor came close from the edge of the area.

After Haggui did draw Tunisia level, it was still Nigeria who looked the most likely to score a decisive goal.

Nigeria’s Obafemi Martins had a decent chance, but couldn’t quite control the ball under pressure from a Tunisia defender, while Nsofor shot wide from a tight angle.

Second-half substitute Nwankwo Kanu had a shot thwarted by the outstanding Tunisian keeper Boumnijel, who also kept out an Obi Mikel strike during an uneventful extra-time.

The penalty shoot-out saw Tunisia go two ahead when Joseph Yobo's opener was saved and Ayila Yussuf sent his effort crashing against the bar, but Tunisia threw away their match-winning lead in the penalty shoot-out after Enyeama saved consecutive spot-kicks from Adel Chedli and Selim Benachour .

Despite Tunisia keeper Boumnijel hammering home Tunisia's fifth penalty, the Nigerian keeper responded by saving Riadh Bouazizi's weak penalty effort to send Nigeria into a semi-final against the Ivory Coast, who beat Cameroon in the other semi-final after another astonishing penalty shoot-out.

Tunisia coach Roger Lemerre thinks that useful lessons have been learned from this tournament, and finished by saying: "We have gained a lot from this tournament, and hope to put some of these lessons to good use at the World Cup in Germany."

"African football is improving, and Europe should pay attention."

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