AFCON 2019
Tunisia 1-1 Mali
Suez Stadium, Suez
Friday, 28-06-2019
Tunisia captain Wahbi Khazri canceled out Mouez Hassen shocker to rescue a 1-1 draw against Mali in a group E contest on Friday evening.
The West Africans needed maximum points to seal a place into the last 16 following their solid start against minnows and tournament debutants Mauritania.
Tunisia also needed a win to brighten their chances of advancing to the next round of the competition.
The first period ended in a disappointing goalless draw, though the North African side enjoyed the largest share of possession.
At an hour mark, Tunisia custodian Hassen made a calamitous mistake when fumbled Diadie Samassekou’s corner into his own net.
Khazri restored parity, ten minutes later with a deflected free kick to boost the Eagles of Carthage’s hopes of progressing to the knockout stages in the continental showpiece.
Mali’s duo of Diadie Samassekou and Amadou Haidara was cautioned whereas Tunisia’s trio of Ellyes Skhiri , Anice Badri and Ghailene Chaalali was also booked.
Tunisia head coach Alain Giresse made the following changes, Youssef Msakni for Anice Badri, Firas Chaouat for Taha Yassine and Ayman Ben Mohamed for Naim Sliti.
Mali introduced on Moussa Doumbia for Moussa Djenepo and Adama Traore for Amadou Haidara.
Tunisia’s second straight 1-1 draw left them with two points in Group E while Mali have four.
The 2004 African champions will play Mauritania on Tuesday 2nd July in their final group game while Mali will entertain Angola on the same day.
Mali require only a draw to seal qualification to the next round.
