Tunisia started their Group B campaign with a convincing home 3-0 win over Equatorial Guinea, to go on top of Group B on goal difference from Zambia, who defeated Mauritania 2-1 earlier on the day in Nouakchott.
In Rades, Tunisia pushed hard in the first half, but could not find the opener despite many chances from Fakhreddine Ben Youssef, Wahbi Khazri and Saif Eddine Khaoui, but the visitors’ defense and goalkeeper Jesus Owono stood tall against all the Tunisian attacks.
After the break, the hosts continued to press, and finally got their deserved lead nine minutes from the restart. Ali Maaloul cross from a corner kick found Dylan Bronn who scored past Owono to break the deadlock for Carthage Eagles.
Ellyes Skhiri doubled Tunisia lead after 78 minutes, sending a beautiful shot home. It soon became 3-0 after skipper Khazri scored from the spot four minutes later to put the icing over Tunisia’s win cake.
Tunisia will travel to Zambia next, while Equatorial Guinea hosts Mauritania.
Zambia host Tunisia at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Tuesday.
[Cafonline]
BC. Zambia will fall to Tunisia for the following reasons.
1. A collapsing back line formation when put under pressure.
2. Failure to track the man behind the defender.
3. Ball watching instead of area and man marking.
4. The failure of the technical bench to employ a plan B when things fall apart.
History will repeat itself…
Watch this space.
A bet of Tunisia win and over 1.5. Mark my words.