AFCON 2023 Day 12 Reviews: Goalless draws end group stage fixtures as Tunisian Eagles suffer early exit
(Made In Africa Sport) – It has been 11 years since the Eagles of Carthage last saw a group-stage exit at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), failing to qualify for the knockout stages after a heavy 3 – 0 defeat to Cote d’Ivoire set the North Africans behind on goal difference. Now, they face the same fate, albeit against less prominent teams, as they finished fourth in Group E in the AFCON 2023 after their 0 – 0 draw against the Bafana Bafana on Wednesday, January 24 2024.
The Eagles were well favoured for qualification to the elimination rounds, but their opening 1 – 0 loss to the Brave Warriors of Namibia showed symptoms of a declining squad. The loss probably sealed the Tunisians’ fate in Cote d’Ivoire, as their meagre two points were insufficient to take them to the next round.
The Tunisians matched their South African counterparts shot for shot throughout the match, but their much needed goal proved elusive. Wajdi Kechrida’s 21st minute cut-back was the Eagles’ best attempt for a goal in the first half, ending with a wayward long-range drive from Ellyes Skhiri. Substitute forward Haythem Jouini miscued his header in the 88th minute, proving wasteful in front of goal when the Tunisians needed it most.
Tunisia head coach Jalel Kadri has been the latest national team coach to part ways with his squad in the recent wave of coaching vacancies following AFCON 2023 exits. The 52-year-old joined the national team in January 2022, starting out in a temporary position before becoming permanent later in the year.
Namibia held out their own in their goalless draw tie with Mali, finishing third in Group E although they will be progressing to the last 16 stage. The Brave Warriors will be taking on the red-hot Blue Sharks of Cape Verde, as one underdog tests the other on the road to the AFCON finals.
We say goodbye to the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 group stage with these results! ☑️✨ pic.twitter.com/pJXLwjRIsk
— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 24, 2024
The Group F fixtures produced the only goal on Wednesday, as Hakim Ziyech put the Atlas Lions ahead in the 37th minute with a tap-in from a rebound to extend their AFCON unbeaten streak to nine straight games. The Chipolopolo were disappointing in their opponents’ box, failing to make the most of the few chances they got in the Moroccan 18-yard box. Patson Daka got the best chance to give Zambia a chance in the knockout stages, but the striker’s poor technique let him down in the 10th minute.
Tresford Mulenga was outstanding in goal for Zambia, keeping his side in the game with his impressive saves. The goalie denied Ayoub El Kaabi, Amine Adli, and Tarik Tissadouli on different occasions but the Moroccans proved too technical to allow much penetration. Zambia gets the boot with that draw, finishing third in Group F, as Morocco already had a foot in the round of 16 before the match.
The Leopards from the Democratic Republic of Congo finished in second-place, as their draw against Tanzania was enough to land them a ticket to the knockouts. The Taifa Stars were extraordinarily solid in defence, but it was credit to Tanzanian goalie Aishi Manula that Fiston Mayele and Yoanne Wissa didn’t find the back of the net. They are still yet to record a win at continental levels, but the Taifa Stars did go down fighting in what was a third appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 group stage final standings are 🤯!
Starting from Group A ➡️ Group D pic.twitter.com/6uIsRPABLE
— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 24, 2024
The exciting group stage is over and we are onto the tension-filled matches. Bated breaths, short-lived celebrations, and euphoric scenes are to be expected in the coming days, as the AFCON 2023 delivers more rounds of breathtaking action live from Cote d’Ivoire.
Don’t miss out on these ones!
