Tanzania Draw with Tunisia to Claim First AFCON Knockout Berth After 45 Years
Tanzania advanced to the knockout rounds of the Africa Cup of Nations for the inaugural time since their debut 45 years ago after staging a comeback to secure a 1-1 stalemate against Tunisia in Rabat.
Tunisia took the lead through a spot-kick from Ismael Gharbi right before the interval while Feisal Salum equalised shortly after the restart in the Moroccan city.
Tanzania had been attempting to progress past the group phase since 1980 and remain without a victory across their four tournament participations. They clinched a last-16 position via two draws and a defeat.
Tunisia ended second in Group C on four points behind leaders Nigeria by five. Tanzania edged out Angola on goal difference to grab one of the four available third-place slots.
Raphael Onyedika netted a brace as qualified Nigeria defeated 10-man Uganda 3-1 in the groups other encounter preserving their perfect record post-group phase.
Only Tunisia are aware of their forthcoming adversaries facing Mali in Rabat this Saturday for the last-16 clash. The next foes for Nigeria and Tanzania remain undetermined.
Tanzania coach Miguel Gamondi born in Argentina handed a tournament debut to 33-year-old custodian Hussein Masaranga among three alterations from the side that tied Uganda last time out.
Tunisia boss Sami Trabelsi benched another 33-year-old skipper Ferjani Sassi who entered midway through the second period to earn his 100th international outing.
Bold Shot Try
Ismael Gharbi hit the upright for Tunisia in the opening stages. He followed with a daring strike from distance that sailed onto the net roof much to the relief of out-of-position Masaranga.
Tunisia enjoyed minor dominance in ball control and led on 43 minutes when the Congolese official penalised a goal-line scramble via pitchside VAR review.
Video replays on the stadium screens confirmed Ibrahim Hamad tripping Hazem Mastouri. Gharbi slotted home the penalty.
The advantage proved short-lived with Feisal Salum restoring parity just two minutes into the second half. His effort from outside the area curled into the bottom corner beyond Aymen Dahmen.
In Fes Nigeria struck first on 28 minutes via a slick build-up that exposed gaps in Ugandas backline.
A smart ball from Bruno Onyemaechi allowed Fisayo Dele-Bashiru to whip in a driven pass which Onuachu converted despite tight marking from three defenders.
Uganda endured a major setback on 56 minutes as replacement keeper Salim Magoola who had subbed for 40-year-old captain Denis Onyango at half-time received a red card for a foul outside the box.
Legason Alionz entered as Ugandas third goalkeeper inside 60 minutes. He conceded twice to Raphael Onyedika inside eight minutes as Nigeria extended to a three-goal cushion.
Onyedika directed both efforts into the bottom right corner. Samuel Chukwueze currently at Fulham on loan from AC Milan assisted the midfielder for each goal.