The teams that met in Garoua on Sunday night had the opposite fate during the group stages.
Tunisia lost to Mali in controversial circumstances, defeated Mauritania and lost to The Gambia as one of the four best third-placed teams to enter the knockout stages.
Nigeria went through Group D to finish as the only team with the maximum points, beating Egypt, Sudan and Guinea Bissau. This feat earned Iguavón a reputation as a group stage coach.
Precaution
But with applause in the ears of the coach and the squad, the former Nigeria international said he should not be deterred by the recent success.
"Tunisia may have struggled during the pool matches, but they are a powerhouse," insisted Aguavone, the head of the match at Stade Roomde Adjia.
“We have to have the same approach and aggression as in our previous matches. And we shouldn't think that just because Tunisia isn't doing well in other sports that it will do the same against us. They can play well against us."
Tunisia won its only Cup of Nations crown in 2004. They reached the semi-finals in 2019 under the leadership of Alain Girse and lost to Nigeria in the third place play-off.
Pride
"The Tunisia national team has history, experience and quality," said assistant coach Jalel Qadri.
“Our ambitions are high. We have experience and confidence in ourselves.
"It is true that during the first leg of this competition, Nigeria was very successful but we are not afraid of anyone."
Midfielder Aisa Ladouni used martial language before the HTE clash. "We had a chance to win in our other games and we should try to be more effective. We have soldiers ... brothers ready to go to war."
The winner of the game will face the winner of the clash between Burkina Faso and Gabon in Limbe who finished second in Group A and C respectively.
Gabon have been praised for their journey after losing captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and midfielder Mario Lemina, who tested positive for Covid-19 before the tournament and then were diagnosed with heart problems after a medical examination. After that they were allowed to return to their clubs.
They will seek a place in the quarter-finals for the first time since 2012, when they co-hosted the tournament with Equatorial Guinea.