Tunisia/Zambia: Chikhaoui's Late Strike Breaks Zambian Hearts

Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Yassine Chikhaoui (9), seen battling Stoppila Sunzu of Zambia, set off wild celebrations on the Tunisian bench when he scored his side's winning goal at the Africa Cup of Nations.
22 January 2015
allAfrica.com
By Nick Said

Tunisia came back from a goal down to break Zambians' hearts and claim a 2-1 success in their African Nations Cup Group B clash in Ebebiyin on Thursday.

Emmanuel Mayuka had given Chipolopolo a deserved lead, after which they missed a number of chances to double their advantage.

Tunisia equalised through Ahmed Akaichi with 20 minutes remaining to punish Zambia's wastefulness in front of goal, and the night got worse still as Yassine Chikhaoui popped up with a winner late on.

The north African side managed to stretch to five matches their unbeaten record against Zambia at the Nations Cup finals, and this gives them the ascendancy in Group B.

After a slow start, the game sprung to life around the 20-minute mark with chances at either end - the closest either side came being a shot from Zambian skipper Rainford Kalaba that flashed inches wide of the goal.

Stopilla Sunzu saw his shot parried for a corner by Tunisia goalkeeper Aymen Mathlouthi, before Mayuka managed to get a header on target that was also kept out by the keeper.

Zambia continued to pile on the pressure in the opening 15 minutes of the second half and were rewarded just before the hour-mark when Mayuka was teed-up by Kalaba and blasted the ball home.

Chipolopolo maintained the pressure and Mayuka should have added to their advantage when it seemed easier to score, but somehow missed the target.

And just a minute later he was made to pay as Akaichi netted the equaliser.

The goal came while Mayuka was receiving treatment and the were Zambians down to 10 men, when the Tunisian forward headed home a corner from Mohamed Moncer.

That goal seemed to spur Tunisia on and it was they who finished the game the stronger, grabbing the winner two minutes from time through Chikhaoui.

The striker headed home from a cross from Yousef Msakni to spark wild celebrations on the Tunisian bench.

Zambia face Cape Verde in their final pool clash on Monday, where nothing short of a victory will give them a chance of qualifying for the next stage.

Tunisia take on DR Congo in their final clash, needing just a draw to advance.

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