Tunisia thump hapless Eswatini

by Staff Reporter

Friday Mar 22, 2019. 22:32

Tunisia thumped Eswatini 4-0 in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification Group J match at the Stade Olympique de Radès in Tunisia on Friday.

The victory saw the Carthage Eagles end a successful qualifying campaign with a win, while Sihlangu Semnikati failed to reach the finals after finishing fourth in the group.

Tunisia were keen to complete a double over Eswatini having defeated their visitors 2-0 in Manzini last year.

It took the Carthage Eagles 21 minutes to break the deadlock through their vice-captain Syam Ben Youssef.

The experienced defender beat Eswatini goalkeeper Sandile Ginindza to make it 1-0 to Tunisia.

The hosts continued their dominance over Sihlangu Semnikati and they managed to double their lead through Anice Badri.

The Esperance de Tunis striker hit the back of the net to make it 2-0 eleven minutes before the half-time break.

Tunisia were deservedly leading 2-0 during the half-time break.

The hosts continued their dominance after the restart and they extended their lead through Naim Sliti.

The France-based midfielder put his name on the score sheet eight minutes after the restart to make it 3-0 to Tunisia.

Eswatini were struggling to contain the Carthage Lions and they conceded against just after the hour-mark.

This time it was defender Yassine Meriah, who hit the back of the net to seal Tunisia's 4-0 victory over Eswatini.

Tunisia (2) 4 (Ben Youssef 21', Badri 34', Sliti 53', Meriah 62')
Eswatini (0) 0

Tunisia: Mathlouthi, Ben Youssef, Maaloul, Kechrida, Meriah, Ben Amor, Ben Mohamed, Badri, Msakni, Sliti, Khenissi.

Eswatini: Ginindza, Badenhorst, Machado, Mkhweu, Mamba, Ngwenya, Ndlovu, Sikhonze, Figareido, Gamedze, Dlamini.