Tunisia Send Niger Packing
27 January 2012
Tunisia sent Niger packing when they secured a 2-1 win in their 2012 Africa Cup of Nations tie thanks to a last gasp goal from Issam Jemaa.
Youssef Msakni had given Tunisia the lead but a controversial goal from William N'Gounou brought the game level. Niger put on a much-improved performance compared to their opener against Gabon but Jemaa's late strike confirmed their elimination.
The match exploded into life and just four minutes in Msakni produced some individual brilliance by creating some space with his fancy footwork before firing past the goalkeeper.
Niger did not take long to respond though as five minutes later N'Gounou equalised. It initially looked like goalkeeper Aymen Mathlouthi had simply dropped a catch but replays showed the a hand may have been used by the Niger player chasing which led to the ball popping onto the head of N'Gounou who looped a header home.
Ouwo Moussa Maazou was Niger's biggest threat in the half and he skied a decent chance in the 17th minute before firing just wide 13 minutes later after an electrifying run.
Tunisia looked dangerous but they were unable to produce the quality needed in the final third to turn their possession into goals.
Maazou went down in the area just before the break but his penalty appeal was rightfully waved away. Tunisia began to press for a winner in the second-half and Msakni went close with a curling effort on the hour mark.
Niger hit back on the counter through Maazou but a last ditch challenge prevented him from bursting through.
The frantic action continued with Aymen Abdennour smashing the ball against the post from long-range before Msakni had an effort blocked by some brave Niger defending.
It looked as if Niger would manage to keep their hopes alive as Jemal headed a decent chance over in the 89th minute but moments later Jemaa kept his cool in the area to fire the ball into the bottom corner.
Tunisia hit the crossbar in the final few seconds as Niger poured forward but they had already done enough to secure their place in the quarter-finals of the event while Niger were eliminated.
comments
wt else CAF, dnt u do them anada favr?
Submitted by: Madlekeni
Date: 28 January 2012, Time: 12:31:30
@Nkanyim, andivumi fondini, the sooner we realise we have no national coach material in that pitso thing, the better for the Nation. If we were hahrd done by the referee in Niger, why did we fail to beat them in the home soil? Had we gone all out for a win in that final game instead of aiming for a draw, do u think Niger would have scored? Why go for a draw in your home soil with a team you have a beef with? We are not going to Brazil with Pitso at helm. He talks too much with nothing to show for it. He should resign, period.
Submitted by: thinktank
Date: 28 January 2012, Time: 09:16:23
dis means tatatalatantou or whatever wil join da rest of da madalas COWs soon,hehe hes a marvel 2 watch,hehe shabba got substituted bcoz of him kuphi khona...yellow i'll remain
Submitted by: Joe_tshikani
Date: 28 January 2012, Time: 08:15:19
Bye Niger
Submitted by: Fofana
Date: 28 January 2012, Time: 06:45:03
What a lovely tournament!! Ladies are out of the Afcon now am waiting Zambia to lift up the trophy!!
Submitted by: Shapiro
Date: 28 January 2012, Time: 06:21:38
Niger tsamaya hantle!! Go back to bribe Caf terms again
Submitted by: Shapiro
Date: 28 January 2012, Time: 06:16:50
gdluck 2doz who progres 2da nxt stge of da tnament. 2be there its a bg thng than nt being there ly my banana bafana. We knw de wlb 1winer nd adaz wl go hme early. Its a gud tournament so far. Congrats 2da host countries 4a gud tnament. Lets hpe our banana bafana wl do wel nxt year as dey qualify by being da host nation.
Submitted by: Zukzela
Date: 28 January 2012, Time: 04:59:12
Beautiful
Submitted by: Muraga Tendani Ronny
Date: 28 January 2012, Time: 04:42:35
Hahahahahaha lol lol tl tl tl, wat does rule 14.1.3 according 2 caf law has 2 say now? Nothing i guess. Its not abt rules its abt winning, as 4 haters, Pitso is d top coach in d country and he wil b d coach til his contract expires, oh b4 i 4get he has an option 2 extend 4 3 more years, lol lol
Submitted by: Njayivuthwa
Date: 28 January 2012, Time: 03:43:34
Banana Banana is just a useless Team. . . 1st team in the history of world cup which hostd the world cup nd fail to go through the Group stage
Submitted by: Casi
Date: 27 January 2012, Time: 23:40:03