Tunisia Draw With Mali To Pick Up First Cup Of Nations Point

By: Gyang Dakwo

Tunisia picked up their first point at the Africa Cup of Nations, coming from behind to draw 1-1 with Mali on Saturday in their second Group E game.

Mali took an early lead through Lassine Sinayoko but Hamza Rafia equalised for Tunisia within 10 minutes at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium.

Tunisia had suffered an upset defeat in their opening game against Namibia while Mali beat South Africa the same evening and now top the standings with four points.

With the top two teams in each group, plus the four best third placed finishers, advancing to last 16, Mali’s four-point haul is almost certain to secure then them a place in the next round.

But Tunisia, who beat France at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, will likely need a win in their last game on Wednesday against South Africa in Korhogo to stand any chance of advancing.

Meanwhile in a Group D match, Angola edged closer to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 after securing a 3-2 win over Mauritania at Stade de Bouake de la Paix on Saturday.

Mauritania fought hard, but succumbed to a second defeat in as many AFCON group stage matches.

Angola now top Group D heading into the final round of group-stage matches and know that a win over Burkina Faso will seal them a place in the knockout stages, while Mauritania face a huge battle to qualify and must beat Algeria to avoid finishing bottom.