The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia have booked their ticket for next year’s Orange Africa Cup of Nations finals in Equatorial Guinea after a 0-0 draw with Botswana on Friday.
The hosts who were yet to claim in group G were eager to redeem a bit of pride while Tunisia was aiming for a slot at AFCON 2015.
It was no surprise that Botswana started the game with intensity in a bit to get the early goal that would unsettle the visitors. Edwin Olerile made space for himself on the left wing before whipping in a low cross only for Segolame Boy to head over the bar after five minutes.
That move sparked life into the game and Tunisian winger Fakhreddine Benyoussef was turning into the main attack of the Tunisians as he laid the ball for Yassine Chikhaoui whose tame shot bounced of Dambe for a corner.
The resulting corner was not converted by the Carthage Eagles and as the half progressed, Tunisia began to slowly claw their way back into the game as the tempo dropped. However, they were often guilty of dismal final passes and the half ended with both teams failing to find the net.
Just as the first, the second half saw Botswana seeking an early goal but the Tunisian wall stood resolute in a half that was mainly fought in the midfield with neither team getting a foothold of the game. Chances were created but not buried by both teams. The game was played at a steady pace with the visitors playing on the counter whilst the hosts were constantly on the attack but also guilty of losing the ball in the final third.
The introduction of Jerome Ramatlhakwana and Mogakolodi Ngele by Botswana bore little fruit for the host as game ended 0-0. The result sees Botswana collect their first point after 5 game while Tunisia now have 11, with Egypt squaring Senegal in the other Group G clash on Saturday in Cairo.
Credit: Cafonline.com
