Match Report: Tunisia crush Zimbabwe to reach AFCON quarters

The Zimbabwe Warriors have bowed out of AFCON 2017 in the Group stage courtesy of a disappointing 4-2 loss at the hands of Tunisia.

With so much expected of the Warriors, having also a favorable result in the other group match (Senegal 2-2 Algeria), the Warriors put up a horrible defensive show to concede rather soft goals.

Zimbabwe started on the backfoot, with the Carthage Eagles enjoying early pressure and could have easily scored in the Second minute but Mukuruva was equal to the task.

The goal did manage to come in the 10th minute. Sliti virtualy unmarked on the edge of the box won a lose corner kick deflection, sent a perfect right footed shot from outside the penalty area, that took an awkward deflection off Muroiwa to score the opener for Carthage Eagles.

Tunisa doubled the lead on the 22nd minute, Youssef Msakni received a nice pass from teammate Sliti to score Tunisia’s second goal from a perfect shot from just inside the penalty area.

Tatenda Mkuruva was once more up to the task, saving the team from successive efforts from the Tunisians on the half hour mark.

With 10 minutes left to the break, Tunisia’s forward Taha Khenissi made the mission more difficult for Zimbabwe; scoring the third goal from inside the 18 yard box benefiting from some lose marking.

Zimbabwe were able to pull one back just 2 minutes before the break. Knowledge Musona impressively beat 2 defenders inside the box and calmly slotted into the back of the next.

With the game look set for the break, In a ‘moment of madness’, Costa Nhamoinesu appeared to be needlessly push a Tunisian striker inside the box resulting in a penalty kick. The Tunisians made no mistake from the box stretching the lead beyond reach.

Coming from the break, Pasuwa made one change bringing on Tendai Ndoro for Danny Phiri – a clear sign for searching for goals.

Second half substitute Tendai Ndoro quickly repaid the faith of his coach, scoring the second goal for Zimbabwe after escaping perfectly from the tightened Tunisian defense. Musona provided the assist in a move that was started by Billiat from the centre.

Billiat who was relatively quiet in the first half came into live in the second half but unfortunately it was a bit late and the Tunisian defense had answers to all questions asked.

Senegal claimed top spot, while Tunisia finished runners-up. Algeria and Zimbabwe bow out.

 

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