Tanzania fought back to draw with Tunisia in Group C at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in a result which sent both sides through to the last 16.
The Carthage Eagles, the 2004 champions, needed a point to secure second spot behind Nigeria while the East Africans advance as the last of four best-ranked third placed teams – edging out Angola on goals scored.
Ismael Gharbi had already hit the left-hand upright and come close to catching Taifa Stars goalkeeper Hussein Masalanga off his line from 45 yards out before calmly slotting Tunisia ahead from the penalty spot in the 43rd minute.
The spot-kick had been awarded after an intervention by the video assistant referee (VAR), with referee Jean Jacques Ndala Ngambo deciding that Ibrahim Hamad had impeded the run of Hazem Mastouri with an arm around his neck as the Tunisia striker tried to get on the end of a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick.
Tanzania still had the chance to progress with a score draw, and Feisal Salum made it 1-1 early in the second half with a shot from outside the box which crept inside the left-hand upright.
There were few chances for either side to grab a winner, with Tanzania striker Simon Msuva coming closest when he headed a corner into the side-netting at the near post.
The Taifa Stars become the first side to progress to the last 16 at an Afcon with two points since the tournament was expanded to a 24-team tournament in 2019.
Tunisia will take on Group A runners-up Mali in Casablanca on Saturday, 3 January (19:00 GMT), while Tanzania – who have reached the knockout stage for the first time – remain in Rabat to face host nation Morocco the following day (16:00 GMT).
Tanzania through without winning
Image source: Getty Images
Image caption: Ismael Gharbi netted Tunisia’s opener on his first start at this year’s Afcon finals
Tunisia had beaten Uganda 3-1 in their first game before a 3-2 defeat by Nigeria, leaving Sami Trabelsi’s men with work to do to progress.
Tanzania lost their opener to the Super Eagles and then held on for a 1-1 draw in the East African derby against the Cranes, and there was even the chance before kick-off that lots could be drawn to decide who advanced to the next round.
Had the Taifa Stars drawn 0-0 at the Olympic Stadium then they and Angola, who finished third in Group B, would have ended with identical records.
Gharbi, making his first start at the finals, was at the heart of Tunisia’s best moments in the first half and his curling effort had Masalanga well beaten but rebounded off the woodwork.
Carthage Eagles fans made up almost all of the 15,205 crowd but were stunned into silence when goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen could not prevent Salum’s low shot from finding the bottom corner in the 48th minute.
The North Africans made little serious attempt to win the game, and their players endured a chorus of boos and jeers on the final whistle after failing to beat a side ranked 71 places below them in the world.
Miguel Angel Gamondi’s Tanzania face a tough task against the host nation in the next round – especially as the Taifa Stars remain yet to win in 12 outings at the Afcon finals, stretching back to their debut in 1980.
