Tunisia and Tanzania confirmed their qualification for the knockout round of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as they played out an uneventful 1-1 draw.
2025 Africa Cup of Nations
1-1
Match Report
Both sides were extremely tense, and it reflected in the overall play, as a total of 0.12 xG for both teams combined was accrued after 40 minutes. At that point, the first major event of the match occurred.
Referee Jean-Jacques Ndala made a pivotal decision, awarding Tunisia a penalty after a lengthy VAR call as Ibrahim Hamad was deemed to have brought down Hazem Mastouri from a free kick.
Up stepped Gharbi, who netted only his second international goal to give his side an important lead just before half-time.
Despite almost nothing from an attacking perspective in the first period, Tanzania hit back with a strike from nowhere.
A few minutes after the restart, Novatus Miroshi slipped the ball to Feisal Salum, who struck a low effort from outside the box to beat Aymen Dahman, handing Miguel Gamondi’s side a much-needed equaliser.
There was nothing to separate the two sides for the remainder of a routine second half in which Tunisia were content to see out the contest, knowing they could not be overtaken in second.
With the points shared, both countries will progress to the next stage, albeit in different circumstances.
Tunisia finished second in Group C behind Nigeria to qualify, while Tanzania have navigated their way through the best third-placed AFCON teams. Having netted more one goal more than Angola, it means they have the potential of facing either Morocco or Egypt, two of the competition’s favourites, in the next round.
As for Tunisia, they face off against Mali, who were runners-up in Group A.
Line-ups
Tanzania XI: Ally Samatta, Simon Msuva, Dickson Job, Feisal Salum, Haji Mnoga, Mohamed Hussein, Novatus Miroshi, Bakari Mwamnyeto, Alphonce Msanga, Ibrahim Hamad, Hussein Masalanga
Subs: Shomari Kapombe, Charles M'Mombwa, Tarryn Allarakhia, Kelvin John, Iddy Seleman Nado, Nickson Kibabage, Denis Kibu, Lusajo Mwaikenda, Zuberi Foba, Pascal Msindo, Yusuph Kagoma, Khalid Habibu, Selemani Mwalimu, Kelvin Nashon, Wilson Nangu
Tunisia XI: Ali Abdi, Skhiri, D. Bronn, Valery, Montassar Talbi, Aymen Dahmen, Sebastian Tounekti, Hannibal, Ismaël Gharbi, Elias Achouri, Hazem Mastouri
Subs: A. Maâloul, Sliti, F. Sassi, Seifeddine Jaziri, Nader Ghandri, Meriah, Mortadha Ben Ouanes, Firas Chaouat, Mohamed Ben Ali, Bechir Ben Said, Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, Houssem Tka, Mohamed Belhadj Mahmoud, Noureddine Farhati, Adem Arous