At a Glance
- Tanzania and Tunisia secure last knockout spots after 1-1 draw.
- Feisal Salum’s goal eliminates Angola.
- Both teams finished with 2 points; Tanzania advanced on goal tally.
- Why it matters: A single goal decides who moves forward in Africa’s biggest football tournament.
In a tense finish at the Africa Cup of Nations, Tanzania edged Tunisia 1-1, a result that sent Angola out and booked Tanzania a place in the last-16 as the best third-placed team.
Match Summary
The match saw Tanzania’s Feisal Salum equalize after Tunisia’s Ismaël Gharbi converted a penalty in the 43rd minute. Salum’s low shot skidded past the wet grass into the left post, forcing a 1-1 finish.
Both teams finished with two points and a goal difference of -1, but Tanzania had scored more group-stage goals (three to Angola’s two), giving them the edge.
- Gharbi penalty
- Salum goal
- Angola eliminated
Group Stage Context
Angola had hoped for a favorable result from Tunisia and a win over Uganda, but Nigeria’s 3-1 victory over Uganda left no room for a third-place lift.
| Team | Points | Goal Difference | Goals Scored |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tanzania | 2 | -1 | 3 |
| Angola | 2 | -1 | 2 |
Tanzania advanced as the best third-placed team. Coach Miguel Gamondi praised the potential of Tanzanian football. Coach Sami Trabelsi expressed satisfaction with the qualification.
Coach Reactions
Miguel Gamondi stated:
> “I hope this will be a reminder to these players and the next generation of players on the potential of Tanzanian football.”
Sami Trabelsi said:
> “We may not have played the best way possible, but we are very happy to have qualified.”
Other Group D Results
Later in the day, Senegal beat Benin and Congo beat Botswana, securing all three teams’ progression.
Key Takeaways
- Tanzania’s late goal secured a last-16 spot.
- Tunisia qualified as Group C runner-up despite fan criticism.
- Angola’s campaign ended after the draw.
With the draw settled, Tanzania and Tunisia head into the knockout rounds, while Angola’s campaign ends on a disappointing note.
