Pretoria — Tunisia beat its neighbour Algeria 1-nil in an Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) match played at Royal Bafokeng stadium in Rustenburg on Tuesday night.

It was the second Group D match following Togo's 2-1 defeat by Ivory Coast.

A late goal by Youssef Msakni during the final minutes of the game ensured Tunisia's victory following a slow start to the match by both sides.

Algeria did not show the same vigour they displayed when they played Bafana Bafana in a friendly at the National Stadium earlier this month.

Tuesday's game was generally lackluster, with both sides showing no sense of urgency.

The only real shot at a goal was in the 29th minute when Algeria looked set to open the scoring, but a header by Islam Slimani went straight for the crossbar. The 90 minute regulation time ended with both sides battling to get the goal scoring form.

Algeria were the better side throughout the game but did not utilise their ball possession to their advantage and were punished for that.

Security has always been tight when the two sides play due to the tense political relations between Tunisia and Algeria. But Tuesday night's encounter ended without any real confrontation both on the pitch and in the stands. It was also the first ever meeting between the two sides in the Africa Cup of Nations.