Forward Wahbi Khazri scored his third goal in two matches as Tunisia stormed to the summit of Group J in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers with a 1-0 victory over hosts Equatorial Guinea in Malabo on Tuesday.
Khazri scored twice in Tunisia’s 4-1 win over Libya on matchday one and his solo strike in the 74th minute, kept the Carthage Eagles’ unbeaten run in the qualifiers and firmly in the lead in their group.
Khazri tapped into an empty net after being set up by Anice Badri with Equatorial Guinea keeper Felipe Ovono off his line.
It was a hard-earned victory for the North Africans who were made to chase the ball most of the game by the Equatorial Guineans under the tutelage of new tactician Sebastien Migne, formerly with Kenya’s Harambee Stars.
Tunisia were limited in their chances with Youssef Msakni’s shot from distance sailing straight to the keeper’s arms after 20 minutes, while Ayman Ben Mohammed shot just wide on the half-hour mark after a poor clearance from the keeper.
The home side dominated possession and should have punished the Tunisians in the 23rd minute when Ali Maaloul’s poor clearance fell on Jose Antonio Miranda, but the latter’s shot couldn’t even trouble the keeper.
Tunisia improved their attack in the second half and came close in the 52nd minute but Ovono pulled off a great save to deny Ben Mohammed one-on-one. He made a decent stop once again in the 67th minute to collect Badri’s intended chip as he broke into the box.
After conceding, the home side threw everything at Tunisia in search of an equaliser but was unsuccessful, remaining bottom of the group after back-to-back losses.
Libya, meanwhile, moved to second in the group after coming from behind to beat Tanzania’s Taifa Stars 2-1 at the Stade Mustapha Ben Jannet in Monastir, Tunisia. Mbwana Samatta gave the Tanzanians an 18th minute lead from the penalty spot, but Libya responded in equal fashion through Sanad Al Warfali.
Anis Saltou scored the winner in the 82nd minute. Libya had to finish the game with 10 men after Hamdou Elhouni was sent off for retaliation.
Samatta gave Tanzania the lead with a penalty straight through the middle after Saimon Msuva was brought down inside the box by Mohamed Abrahim. Tanzania were fortunate to be in the lead after surviving an early onslaught from the Libyans.
In partnership with ANA and Sports Leo
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