Tunisia/Morocco: Carthage Eagles Swoop On Neighbours to Deliver Shock Result

Barry Aldworth/BackpagePix
Aymen Mathlouthi of Tunisia makes a save in the game against Morocco.
23 January 2012
allAfrica.com
By Mark Gleeson

Libreville — Tunisia are the latest country to deliver a shock result at the African Nations Cup finals after edging out Morocco 2-1 on Monday and claiming a massive morale boost in a tough Group C.

They held out despite a furious late charge from their north African rivals to win with goals from Sabeur Khlifa and Youssef Msnaki and give themselves a major chance of going through to the quarter-finals.

Houcine Kharja pulled a late goal back for a desperate Morocco, who were the dominant side but never looked in sync with reach other despite a bevy of skillful players.

Kharja's goal looked offside but it ensured a nerve-wracking final nine minutes, during which time Morocco kept up the pressure but were unable to score.

Kharja might well have conjured up a late equaliser but missed from close range with just minutes left. By then Morocco looked a spent force after Tunisia took everything that was thrown at them.

While they spent most of the match defending, Tunisia seemed to have their tactics against the much-vaunted Morocco side spot on, using pace to counterattack as they waited for their opportunities.

Khlifa got the faintest of touches to a free kick from Khaled Korbi to open the scoring in the 34^th minute.

Khlifa's goal came against the run of play but after Tunisia had rattled the Morocco woodwork on a rare counterattack through Zouhaier Dhaouadi.

Morocco goalkeeper Nadir Lamyaghri misjudged the flight of Korbi's free kick, seemingly distracted by Khlifa's effort to get his head to it. It brushed him slightly on the way through.

A counterattack finished off by substitute Youssef Msakni in the 77^th minute effectively ensured the result. He cleverly cut inside and slammed home a shot from the edge of the area.

Kharja's strike was scored in a goal mouth melee but the linesman was hopelessly out of position to see that the cross headed into the dangerous zone by Ahmed Kantari came from an offside position.

Morocco joined Senegal and Libya as surprise losers in the opening stages of the tournament. Senegal were beaten by Zambia on the opening day in Bata, Equatorial Guinea. Co-hosts Equatorial Guinea also surprised with a win over Libya, also in Bata on Saturday.

Morocco next play against Gabon, who started Group C with a 2-0 win over Niger on Monday.

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