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Re : Tunisia bundled out of the competition

Tunisia bundled out of the competition

Tunisia bundled out of the U-23 AFCON! (CAF Online Photo)
 
A lone goal victory over Tunisia on Friday in M’Bour was enough to earn South Africa a place at the semi-final alongside hosts Senegal from Group A.

Menzi Masuku scored five minutes from time to ensure victory for the South Africans at the expense of Tunisia, who were bundled out of the competition alongside Zambia.

The victory took South Africa to six points, three shy of leaders, Senegal, who beat Zambia by a similar scoreline in the other Group A match held in the capital, Dakar. Tunisia amassed three points from three games and Zambia at the bottom with no point.

Senegal will face the second-place team from Group B whilst South Africa battles the winners of the group at the semis.

A draw would have been enough for South Africa but they left it late against a Tunisian side that were wasteful in a second half they dominated.

South Africa captain Keegan Dolly, by far their best player on the pitch forced a diving save from Carthage Eagles goalie Sabri Ben Hassen on 23 minutes from a free-kick at the edge of the penalty area.

The second half belonged to Tunisia, pushing their opponents into their half whilst the South Africans resorted to catching them on the break.

Haythem Jouini, Nader Ghandri and Ali Abdi came close to breaking the deadlock in the early minutes of the second period.

On 73 minutes, the Tunisians had arguably their finest chance from a three-man move that had Ghandri at the finishing end. Slimane Kchok laid to Jouini, who back-heeled to Ghandri, only for Ghandri’s header to miss target by inches with South Africa goalie Jody February completely beaten.

The Tunisians continued to press for the opener until five minutes from time when the South Africans caught them off guard on the counter. Gift Motupa did all the work on the right before crossing to Masuku, who had the easiest of task tapping into the yawning net for the goal that separated the two sides.

Elsewhere in Dakar, Mouhamadou Diallo’s third minute header ensured host Senegal maintained their winning spree. ‘Les Lionceaux’ remains the only team to have recorded victories in all three matches at the group phase.

CAF Online