Suez,
EGYPT
Angola
fought back to hold Tunisia 1-1 in the opening Group E match at the 2019 Africa
Cup of Nations on Monday night.
The
Carthage Eagles claimed the lead at the Suez Stadium in Egypt through Youssef
Msakni, but the Palancas Negras fought back in the second half and Djalma
Campos capitalised on a goalkeeping error to secure a share of the spoils.
Tunisia
looked the stronger side from the opening minutes and created a couple of
half-chances for the likes of Naim Sliti and Wahbi Khazri, but they were unable
to test Angola goalkeeper Toni Cabaca.
The
Palancas Negras grew in confidence and began to threaten through the likes of
Mateus Galiano and Fredy, who each struck speculative efforts wide of the
Tunisian goal-posts.
However,
Tunisia sliced open Angola's defence just after the half-hour mark and their
move resulted in a penalty, with Sliti tripped up in the box by Manuel Paizo.
Youssef Msakni struck home the spot kick on 34 minutes to put the North
Africans in the lead.
Angola
were 1-0 down at the break and coach Srdjan Vasiljevic responded with a double
change at the start of the second half: Stelvio Cruz and Wilson Eduardo made
way for Geradlo da Costa and Jacinto Gelson.
The
southern Africans initially struggled to make any headway against the resilient
Tunisians, but on 73 minutes they were gifted an equaliser.
A
relatively tame, low shot from Mateus should have been easily saved and
smothered by Farouk Ben Mustapha, but the goalkeeper only parried it into the
path of Djalma Campos, who tapped home from close range to make it 1-1.
The
Carthage Eagles looked for a late winner in the late stages, though efforts
from Msakni and Khazri were unable to get the better of Toni. In the end the
teams settled for a 1-1 draw.
Tunisia’s
next Group E match will be against Mali on Friday, while Angola will take on
Mauritania the following day. - Africa
Tunisia (1) 1 (Msakni 34’ pen)
Angola (0) 1 (Campos 73’)
Tunisia: Ben
Mustapha, Meriah, Bedoui, Bronn, Kechrida, Skhiri, Chaalali (Sassi 69’),
Haddadi, Khazri, Msakni, Sliti (Badri 79’)
Angola: Toni, Dany, Gaspar,
Bastos, Campos, Herenilson, Paizo, Stelvio (Geraldo 46’), Fredy, Mateus (Macaia
87’), Eduardo (Gelson 46’)
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