South Africa hold Tunisia to advance in Afcon

KORHOGO, Ivory Coast

South Africa have advanced into the knockout rounds of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after they held Group E rivals Tunisia to a 0-0 draw at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Korhogo on Wednesday evening.

The result sees Bafana Bafana finish second on the log behind Mali, with Namibia in third and the Carthage Eagles fourth. All but the North Africans will be involved in the Round of 16, which will get underway this coming weekend.

Tunisia created all the early pressure, though their only genuine scoring chance arrived in the 26th minute when Wajdi Kechrida crossed to find the head of Seifeddine Jaziri, but his effort was wayward.

South Africa looked the more dangerous team after the half-hour mark, with Thapelo Morena whipping a long-range effort just over the crossbar, before Mothobi Mvala got on the end of Teboho Mokoena’s free kick and flicked a header wide.

Nonetheless, the first half closed with the score locked at 0-0.

Bafana Bafana brought on Nyiko Mobbie at the start of the second half to replace Khuliso Mudau, who was involved in a couple of heavy challenges in the opening 45 minutes.

Just as in the first half, Tunisia started strongly before South Africa found their own attacking rhythm – though both teams lacked quality and penetration in the final third.

The Carthage Eagles looked to address this by sending on the likes of Youssef Msakni, Naim Sliti and Haythem Jouini, while Bafana Bafana had their first shot on target in the 77th minute when Sphephelo Sithole fired off a long-range grass-cutter which forced a sharp save from Bechir Ben Said.

The Tunisian goalkeeper was in action again in the 81st minute when he palmed away Evidence Magkopa’s header on target from a corner kick.

The Carthage Eagles had a great chance to finally break the deadlock in the 89th minute when Sayfallah Ltaief crossed from the right to find Jouini, but the substitute striker was unable to head on target.

The match closed at 0-0, with South Africa celebrating progression, while Tunisia were eliminated from an Afcon in the group stage for the first time since 2013.

South Africa: Williams, Mudau (Mobbie 46’), Kekana, Mvala, Modiba, Sithole, Mokoena, Morena (Maseko 67’), Zwane (Monare 80’), Tau, Makgopa (Lepasa 84’)

Tunisia: Ben Said, Kechrida, Talbi, Meriah, Abdi, Rafia (Ltaief 70’), Laidouni, Skhiri (Ben Romdhane 84’), Slimane (Msakni 59’), Achouri (Sliti 70’), Jaziri (Jouini 70’)