South Africa will battle with Tunisia for a spot in the knockouts of the Africa Cup of Nations. With four points, South Africa’s Mali leads the group and will advance with a draw or better against Namibia. They are now in third place. Tunisia has to win this game to maintain their prospects of qualifying.
Preview (South Africa vs. Tunisia)
Coming into this game after a commanding 4-0 victory over their neighbor Namibia at this same stadium on Sunday night, South Africa made their debut in this year’s Africa Cup of Nations. Al Ahly’s Percy Tau showed class by stepping up under intense pressure to convert a spot kick. He gives his team the lead after missing a penalty against Mali. After that, Bafana Bafana was superior to the other team and had already ended the match before halftime. Themba Zwane, 34, scored twice in the first half. Thapelo Maseko added the cherry on top with the fourth goal of the afternoon in the second half.
As a result, South Africa continued their streak of winning their opening two AFCON games without losing since 2006, the year they finished last in their group’s three games and were eliminated before the Round of 16. Bafana Bafana are now in second place after coming back from their opening match, a 2-0 loss to Mali. Despite the possibility that a draw would be sufficient to advance to the next round due to group dynamics, they will probably aim for another strong showing, which could secure them first place and a favorable draw in the knockout stages.
Tunisia has the most difficult challenge as they attempt to avoid leaving the AFCON early. All four teams still have a chance to get to the knockout stages. The 2004 winners have won this tournament every year since 2013. After the first two games, they have only one point going into the final group-stage match. In their most recent encounter with Mali, Tunisia drew 1-1 to earn their lone point. Despite an early deficit, they were able to tie the game before the hour thanks to an equalizer from Hamza Rafia.
Team News
Given their performance in that match, it wouldn’t be shocking if Hugo Broos started with the same lineup that South Africa used to defeat Namibia. The team left that game without any new injuries. Zwane, who is 34 years old and a great attacker, should start at the front of the line once more. Zachele Lepasa, on the other hand, is hoping to start after making another strong appearance off the bench. Evidence Makgopa, a teammate for the Orlando Pirates who hasn’t yet scored in this competition, would probably be benched if Lepasa is moved up to the starting lineup.
The knee injury that Tunisia’s forward, Taha Yassine Khenissi, suffered early in his team’s opening encounter against Namibia has officially knocked him out of the competition for the rest of it. Although Haythem Jouini was not used as a substitute in the draw with Mali, the Stade Tunisien striker may be included in the starting lineup to lead the line alongside Sheffield United’s Anis Ben Slimane, given Tunisia’s need for more offensive potency in this encounter.
South Africa 1-1 Tunisia
For more football previews, click here
