Tunisia and Mali qualify for Afcon 2021
Tunisia and Mali book Afcon tickets
JOHANNESBURG, November 18 (ANA) – Tunisia and Mali were the latest additions on Tuesday to the list of qualified teams for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
The two nations joined 2019 finalists Senegal, holders Algeria as well as hosts Cameroon to punch their ticket to the continental showpiece event.
Tunisia progressed despite a 1-1 draw with Tanzania in Dar es Salaam, while Mali went through after a 2-1 victory away to Namibia.
In Tanzania, the Carthage Eagles – as Tunisia are known – moved to 10 points on top of Group J after four matches and preserve their unbeaten run. Tanzania moved to third with the point, getting to four points and two behind second-placed Equatorial Guinea to keep their qualification hopes alive.
A second half charge by the Taifa Stars earned them a point, with substitute Feisal ‘Fei Toto’ Salum’s screamer cancelling out Saif Eddine Khaoui first half opener.
Tunisia went to the break a goal up, Khaoui’s goal the difference between the two sides. Khaoui had struck the back of the net with a well-taken first time shot after being teed up by skipper Youssef Msakni.
The Carthage Eagles had quickly turned play around after Tanzania’s DItram Nchimbi who failed to control a long ball, chesting it to Ali Maaloul’s path who launched the play forward.
The Tunisians were gifted for a positive start to the match and before the goal, Msakni had struck the upright after Tanzanian keeper Aishi Manula came off his line but failed to pick the ball, giving the Tunisian skipper with a golden chance.
The North Africans continued running rings around their hosts and controlled massive possession. Wahbi Khazri came close in the 21st minute, but his snap shot from inside the box was wide.
In the 24th minute, Khaoui came close to doubling his and the team’s tally but his brilliant shot off a cheeky Khazri backheel pass rattled the crossbar.
The Tanzanians made an early change, Salum coming on for Himid Mao, to improve the Taifa Stars’ creativity in midfield.
The home side took only two minutes after the interval to get back on level terms. A cross from Nchimbi on the right was controlled by John Bocco with Salum striking a first time effort that flew into the net from range.
Tanzania kept pushing and had another chance in the 53rd minute, Nchimbi’s header from a corner bouncing just wide.
Tanzania’s fight was almost nipped in the bud when Khaoui broke into the box from a Msakni pass, but he couldn’t connect with his shot well, keeper Manula making the save. The home side continued their fight and with a quarter of an hour left came close, but were denied by Ben Mustapha who tipped over Msuva’s curling effort for a corner.
The Tunisians finished the game on a high, and had a chance with two minutes left on the clock but Msakni’s shot from a tight angle was saved by Manula much to the relief of the Tanzanians.
In Windhoek, Mali went top of Group A and booked a ticket to Cameroon after a 2-1 win over hosts Namibia. Sekou Koita and Moussa Doumbia scored the goals for Mali while Namibia’s consolation was scored by Elmo Kambindu.
The victory takes the Malians top of the table with 10 points, two ahead of Guinea who drop to second. Namibia remain third with just three points off one victory. – African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Michael Sherman