Niger's loss to Tunisia in their 2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group C clash might have been disappointing for them, but it provided yet more evidence that the gap between the traditional big guns in Africa and the so-called minnows is closing.

After conceding early to Youssef Msakni it looked as though the Nigeriens might capitulate in Friday's game, but they fought back well and should really have gone on to win.

They were unfortunate on a number of fronts, first of all missing a number of superb scoring opportunities and then conceding a 90th minutes goal to lose what would have been a deserved point.

They will now exit the competition, but can do so with their heads held high. They were supposed to be the whipping boys in this pool and although they have lost both their games so far, they have given a good account of themselves.

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 Nations Cup finals win, but fluffed their lines in the end. However, their progress suggests a brighter future for them.

It was speculated before the tournament began that just getting a goal might be seen as progress for a side who traditionally have been so poor away from Niamey. Now that they have achieved that, can they perhaps do even better against a deflated Morocco in their final pool game on Monday?

Tunisia can count themselves fortunate. Indeed, coach Sami Trabelsi says it was the worst he has seen his side play. Whether it was complacency after scoring that fourth-minute goal through Msakni, following the high of their excellent win over Morocco in the opener, only the players will know.

But this game showed that they do have a soft underbelly and if exposed they can lose shape and organisation.

It suggests that getting beyond the quarter-finals will be difficult, though they will believe they can play better than this.

Depending on whether they finish top of their pool or second, a meeting with most likely Ghana, or one of Mali and Guinea, await in the knockout stages. They will have to play much better than this to get past any of those sides.