Botswana hold blunt Tunisia

by Staff Reporter

Sunday Jun 05, 2022. 18:59

Botswana and Tunisia drew 0-0 in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Group J match at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown on Sunday afternoon.

The draw left the Zebras of Botswana placed third in the group standings with one point from two matches, while Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles remained at the top of the standings with four points.

The Zebras were under siege in the opening 20 minutes of the game as the Carthage Eagles searched for the opening goal with goalkeeper Goitseone Phokoe forced to come out and deny Issam Jebali.

Phoko then produced a superb save to deny Firas Ben Larbi from close range. The Gaborone United shot-stopper was then beaten by Ben Larbi’s rasping shot, but the crossbar came to Botswana’s rescue.

The hosts improved gradually as the match progressed and the keeper Bechir Ben Saïd produced a double save to deny Tumisang Orebonye, and Kabelo Seakanyeng. The score was 0-0 at half-time with Botswana having contained Tunisia.

The Zebras played much better after the restart as they were able to keep possession well in the Carthage Eagles’ half, but were struggling to create clear cut chances against the 2004 African champions.

With the Botswana defence looking solid and compact, Tunisia’s coach Jalel Kadri decided to introduce attacker Elias Achouri and 2017 CAF Champions League Golden Boot winner Taha Yassine Khenissi.

Both teams created chances towards the end of the game, and Khenissi came closest to scoring when his shot hit the crossbar with Phoko well beaten in the last minute of the match, and the encounter ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

Botswana 0

Tunisia 0

Botswana: Phoko, Kgaswane (Mabaya 55′), Gaolaolwe, Ditlhokwe, Johnson, Velaphi, Seakanyeng (Kgamanyane 62′), Ditsele, Setsile (Sesinyi 62′), Cooper, Orebonye

Tunisia: Ben Saïd, Ifa, Maâloul, Abdi, Talbi, Sliti (Mejbri 90’+1), Ben Alarbi, Laidouni (Achouri 68′), Ben Romdhane (Ben Slimane 86′), Jebali (Sassi 46′), Jaziri (Khenissi 68′).