Izuchukwu Okosi
After the controversial defeat to Mali in their first group game, Tunisia on Sunday defeated Mauritania 4-0 in Limbe on Matchday 2 action in Group F of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
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The Carthage Eagles who had a sense of injustice after the manner of their defeat to the Malians, dominated the game led by Wahbi Khazri who produced a brilliant performance and scored a brace past Mauritania goalkeeper Babacar Diop.
Tunisia coach Mondher Kebaier fielded a changed team compared to the first match loss to Mali. They took the upper hand from the start with an opener from Hamza Mathlouthi, who received Khazri pass to fire home after 4 minutes.
Five minutes later, Khazri doubled Tunisia’s lead after a nice collective work, with the Carthage Eagles putting the game to bed as early as the ninth minute.
Tunisia continued to dominate while the Mourabitounes depended on counterattacks through Thiam and Kamara.
After the break, Mauritania increased their pace trying to reduce the deficit, but the Tunisian defense led by Ali Maaloul let nothing through.
Just after the hour mark, Khazri completed a very nice collective work and a one-two action with Ghilane Chaalali to score the third Tunisian goal and complete his personal brace.
Seifeddine Jaziri added Tunisia’s fourth just two minutes later with a chip over the goalkeeper.
The Tunisians missed a penalty at the very end of the match, when skipper Youssef Msakni rebounded from the right post.
Tunisia now have three points, one shy of Gambia and Mali. Mauritania remain at the group’s bottom while they bid farewell to the tournament.
Musa Barrow scored a late penalty to give The Gambia a deserved 1-1 draw against Mali in Group F of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroon 2021.
The Bologna striker kept his cool to calmly tuck away from 12 yards sending the keeper the wrong way to cancel Ibrahima Kone’s earlier penalty for Mali. Substitute Ebrima Colley won the penalty when his pass was handled in the area.
The Scorpions twice hit the Mali post from set piece through Ablie Jallow and Musa Barrow while goalkeeper Modou Jobe pulled a great save to deny Mali’s Adama Traore.
Kone gave the Eagles the lead from a penalty 15 minutes from time after Ebou Adams was adjudged to have fouled a Malian attacker.
The towering striker slotted in his second goal of the tournament to give Mali the lead having seen most of the ball against the disciplined Scorpions.
The Eagles started brightly at the Limbé Omnisports Stadium playing through the wide areas profiting from Moussa Djenepo and Adama Traore’s speed.
Adama Traore found space on the right channel before crossing deep into the Scorpions area but Djenepo failed to make contact with the ball.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
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