Tunisia, Zambia share spoils
The Carthage Eagles of Tunisian and the Chpolopolo of Zambia played out a one all draw in their Group D clash at the Orange Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday in Lubango.
The Zambians took the lead on 18 minutes through Jacob Mulenga before Dhaouadhi Rzouhaie leveled for the Tunisians six minutes before half time.
The closely contested encounter gave birth to few chances at goal as the action rested in the midfield.
The game started on a high temp with both teams labouring in search of their rhythm in the opening minutes. The Chipolopolo were purposeful on the offensive compelling the Carthage Eagles defence to work above themselves to weather the storm each time.
On 18 minutes, Mulenga, who stars for Dutch Eredivise outfit FC Utrecht broke the deadlock with a shot from the inside of his foot that beat Tunisian goalie Aymen Mathlouti after Felix Katongo had put him through.
With midfielder Rainford Kalaba at his best spraying passes from left and right, the Zambians won the midfields battle and piled pressure on the Tunisians as they seek to consolidate their lead.
However, the Carthage Eagles managed to draw equal following a swift counter initiated by Msakni Youssef and finished off by Dhaouadhi. Msakni beat two Zambian defenders on the left before laying a perfect pass to Dhaouadhi, who wasted no time by shooting past Zambian goalie Kennedy Mweene.
The second half was balanced with both sides having fair chances at goal. Zambia captain Christopher Katongo was unlucky to see his header on the stroke of full time went after Mathlouthi had spilled Kalaba’s free-kick unto his path.
Zambia midfielder Kalaba was named the Most Valuable Player of the match whilst Felix Katongo picked the Fair Play award.
The result leaves Tunisia and Zambia on one point peach, two points adrift of Gabon, with Cameroon at the bottom of the without a point.
Gabon will face Tunisia on Sunday, January 17 whilst Cameroon square off Zambia, both in Lubango.