Even a Hazem Mastouri brace was not enough. On Monday night at the Hamadi-Agrebi Stadium in Radès, Tunisia were held 2-2 by Botswana on matchday two of Group H. After a 1-1 draw with Uganda, it was a second home stumble for Mouine Chaâbani.
The script hurt. Thatayaone Kgamanyane put the Zebras ahead in the 37th minute. Mastouri levelled just before the break (44th), then put the Carthage Eagles in front in the 49th. But shortly after the hour, Lebogang Ditsele equalised. Final score 2-2, and a run that keeps growing: Tunisia are now eight games without a win.
« The result does not reflect the performance »
Chaâbani, quoted by Foot Africa, did not duck it: « Unfortunately, we did not reach the objective we had set against Botswana. » In his view, the score did not reflect his side’s display. « We created many chances, but we lacked efficiency, » he stressed, also pointing to defensive errors. He promised to redouble efforts to fight for qualification until the end.
Tunisia have two points, level with Botswana and behind Uganda, who beat Libya 1-0 and have four. And in a group featuring Uganda, co-hosts of AFCON 2027, the race for qualification looks tight. In other words, the margin for error has already gone.