TAMALE, Ghana, 24 January 2008 — Battered Tunisia got off the floor to deliver a stunning late goal and draw 2-2 with Senegal yesterday in a 2008 African Nations Cup Group D thriller.
Issam Jemaa gave the 2004 champions an early lead they held until first-half stoppage time when Bayal Sall equalized and a fierce Senegalese onslaught paid dividends when Diomansy Kamara put them ahead on 66 minutes.
But the ‘Teranga Lions’ were punished for a host of missed chances when Majdi Traoui unleashed a ‘rocket’ that flew past motionless goalkeeper Tony Sylva seven minutes from full-time.
Angola and South Africa meet in this northern town later in the final fixture of the first series as 16 countries chase the greatest prize African football has to offer.
Senegal were quickest out of the starting blocks and Tunisian Radhouane Felhi almost conceded an own goal as he headed away an El-Hadji Diouf free kick at the expense of a corner.
But after nine minutes it was the ‘Carthage Eagles’ who snatched the lead as Jemaa combined with Wissem Bekri before unleashing a low left-foot drive across Sylva into the far corner of the net.
It was only the second goal in 279 minutes of action between the countries whose quarterfinals clash four years ago turned into a mini-war before hosts Tunisia triumphed.
Fulham midfielder Diomansy Kamara, one of several English Premiership stars on parade for the ‘Lions’, burst through soon after only for goalkeeper Hamdi Kasraoui to dart off his line and avert the danger.
Highly rated France-based striker Mamadou Niang came tantalizingly close to leveling midway through the opening half when he turned twice before just firing wide of the far post.
Diouf was being close guarded with up to three Tunisian ‘minders’ policing him every time he gained possession and Yassine Chikhaoui was thwarted by poor control at the other end in a counterattack.
The ‘Eagles’ were made to rue the wasted chance as the ‘Lions’ equalized almost two minutes into stoppage time when captain Radhi Jaidi failed to clear an Ousmane Ndoye pass and Sall beat Kasraoui from close range.
Senegal also began the second half impressively and this time they sustained the pressure, squandering a host of gilt-edge chances before deservedly taking the lead.
Tunisia resembled amateurs rather than former champions as they tried to clear the ball in a goalmouth scramble and it finally fell invitingly for Kamara, who made no mistake from close range.
After Diouf, Kamara and Niang went close and Kasraoui foiled Diouf, the goal brought relief to Henri Kasperczak, the Polish coach who has not finished lower than fourth in Nations Cup challenges with Ivory Coast, Tunisia and Mali. But seven minutes from full-time Senegal paid dearly for not converting their chances and putting the game beyond the reach of Tunisia when Traoui brought the teams level again.
A weak clearance was picked up by 2004 Nations Cup-winning midfielder Jawhar Mnari and his square pass rolled to Traoui, who unleashed a drive that flew into the net.
• On Tuesday, in Kumasi, Zambia profited from James Chamaga’s early goal to score a resounding 3-0 win over Sudan in their opening Group C match.
Fellow forward Jacob Mulenga and Felix Katongo added goals in the second half at Kumasi’s Baba Yara Stadium to put Zambia top of the group with Egypt after the defending champions’ 4-2 win over Cameroon in the earlier match.
Chamanga, drafted into the starting line-up in place of suspended captain Chris Katongo, took just one minute and 45 seconds to fire Zambia ahead.
The South African-based striker, who netted 10 league goals last month, kept up his form with a volleyed shot after a quick exchange of passes with team mate Dube Phiri.
Mulenga climbed above the Sudan defense to add a second six minutes into the second half. He was first to react after Clive Hachilensa’s initial headed effort cannoned back off the crossbar.
Katongo was also quickest off the mark just eight minutes later when Sudan’s goalkeeper Mahjoub El Moez could only parry a shot from Rainford Kalaba.
Sudan hit the post after 12 minutes with a powerful long-range effort from Badreldin El Doud but squandered their other opportunities.
It was a disappointing start for the Sudanese, back at the tournament after a 32-year absence.
