Tunisia begins its CAN 2023 with a surprise defeat against Namibia this Tuesday, January 16 (0-1). The Carthage Eagles will have no choice but to react against Mali during the next day of this group phase this Saturday.
20:20 – Match summary
Namibia achieves a huge sensation against Tunisia (1-0). The first minutes are hectic. The Eagles of Carthage created a first big opportunity on a header from Khenissi but Kazapua made a first decisive save (5th). But two minutes later, the Brave Warriors came out of their camp and created two big chances in quick succession. Namibian captain Shalulile is defeated twice by Ben Saïd (7th). This start of the meeting is, in reality, only a flash in the pan. The rest of the first period was poorer in chances and the Carthage Eagles were unable to worry Kazapua at all because they were sorely lacking in inspiration. The Brave Warriors are even more enterprising. Upon returning from the locker room, the Tunisians quickly stand out. Talbi takes a corner from Maaloul but the Lorientais header is slammed for a corner by Kazapua (46th). As in the first period, the Namibian response was immediate! Shalulile takes a cross and misses a little but this surprises Ben Saïd who is beaten. Montassar Talbi pulls away and saves his camp (50th). The Eagles push but fall on an impassable Kazapua like on this header from Youssef Msakni (80th). The last minutes are rather dominated by the Brave Warriors who are finally rewarded! Hotto deceives Ben Saïd with an unstoppable header (89th) and plants a terrible stab for the Eagles of Carthage unable to react afterwards. Tunisia will have to get back up this Saturday against Mali while the Namibians could confirm this excellent performance this Sunday against South Africa.
20:05 – The other match in Group E
This result from Tunisia – Namibia gives even greater interest to the second match of this first day of Group E which takes place this Tuesday evening at 9 p.m. between Mali and South Africa. The Carthage Eagles could find themselves in an unfortunate position before facing the Malians this Saturday.
20:00 – A first victory for Namibia!
This is quite simply the first time in history that the Brave Warriors have won a match in a group stage of an African Cup of Nations. They are participating in their 4th CAN but had never won a match.
19:56 – It’s over! Huge surprise!
The referee whistles the end of this Tunisia – Namibia! The Brave Warriors scored a sensational success against the Carthage Eagles who did not show a reassuring face.
19:52 – Goal denied for Namibia! (90+3′)
Shalulile is selfless and finds Hotto at the far post who pushes into the back of the net. The only scorer of this Tunisia – Namibia is reported in an offside position. The Eagles of Carthage are still in the game.
19:51 – Achouri comes out (90+2′)
Jalel Kadri makes one last change in this Tunisia – Namibia with the entry of Srarfi in place of Achouri.
19:50 – Five more minutes (90′)
Additional time for this Tunisia – Namibia is five minutes. Time is running out for the Carthage Eagles who have just been surprised by the Brave Warriors.
19:48 – NAMIBIA OPENS THE SCORING! (89′)
WHAT A SURPRISE ! The Tunisians conceded the opener in the last minute of regulation time with a header from Hotto completely alone at the far post from a pinpoint cross from Muzeu.
19:46 – What a thrill! (87′)
Petrus was not far from surprising the Tunisians! Skhiri deflects the Namibian midfielder’s shot but is very close to wrong-footing Ben Saïd.
19:45 – Ben Saïd is working! (86′)
Hotto himself takes the free kick he has obtained and tries to surprise Ben Saïd but the Tunisian goalkeeper relaxes and deflects for a corner.
19:44 – Hotto gets a good free kick (85′)
Namibia’s number 7 eliminates Laïdouni who lets his foot drag. Danger ahead for the Eagles of Carthage in this Tunisia – Namibia.
19:42 – Ben Slimane gives up his place (83′)
Jalel Kadri makes a new change in this Tunisia – Namibia with the exit of Ben Slimane replaced by Ltaief.
19:40 – Muzeu signals himself (81′)
He entered this Tunisia – Namibia a few minutes ago and attempts his first strike of the evening. It’s out of place and without danger for Ben Saïd.
19:39 – Kazapua saves his team! (80′)
The Namibian goalkeeper makes a huge Tunisia – Namibia and deflects Msakni’s header with his fingertips. Tunisians will have nightmares about Kazapua.
19:37 – Ben Saïd clears his fists (78′)
The Tunisian goalkeeper is quickest in his area to push back the Namibian corner. The Eagles scare each other in this end of Tunisia – Namibia.
19:33 – Ben Slimane misses his control (74′)
What work from the Tunisian captain, Youssef Msakni who eliminated two opponents before offering a superb ball to Ben Slimane. The latter loses his control and wastes a great opportunity.
19:32 – A new change (73′)
Collin Benjamin makes a second change in this Tunisia – Namibia with the entry of Muzeu in place of Tjiueza.
19:31 – The second cool-down break (72′)
Even though night has fallen in Korhogo, the heat is still present and the referee gives a new cool break to the players of this Tunisia – Namibia.
19:30 – Achouri was offside (71′)
Achouri is launched in depth and tries to deceive Kazapua but the Namibian goalkeeper makes a good save. The assistant’s flag then rises to signal an offside position.
19:28 – Kazapua had a hole (69′)
For the first time in this Tunisia – Namibia, Kazapua is overtaken and misses his exit. Talbi deflects Maaloul’s cross with his head but the Lorient player cannot find the target.
19:26 – Shalulile wins again (67′)
The Namibian captain is a real poison for the Tunisian defense. He is still ahead of Talbi on a cross from the left.
19:23 – Shalulile blocked (64′)
Very good movement from the Brave Warriors concluded by Shalulile but the Namibian captain’s strike is blocked by Kechrida who had returned well.
19:22 – Kazapua had seen it all! (63′)
What anticipation from the Brave Warriors goalkeeper. Maaloul is called upon and has a boulevard but Kazapua had sensed everything and replaced his defense.
19:21 – A first Namibian change (62′)
Collin Benjamin brings new blood into this Tunisia – Namibia. Katua replaces Shitembi in midfield.
7:20 p.m. – Hour of play (60′)
60 minutes have passed in this Tunisia – Namibia and the score is still goalless. The Eagles of Carthage are a little better in this second act but still cannot find the fault and are exposed to the Namibian counterattacks.