2023 AFCON: South Africa v Tunisia preview

by Thando Mpembe

Tuesday Jan 23, 2024. 12:50

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations will continue with a Group E match between South Africa and Tunisia at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Korhogo.

Date: Wednesday 24 January 2024

Kick-off: 19h00 CAT

Head-to-head: South Africa and Tunisia have met in six previous matches. Both Bafana Bafana and the Eagles of Carthage have recorded three victories, with zero games drawn. The teams’ most recent meeting was in the group stage of the 2008 AFCON, with Tunisia claiming a 3-1 triumph in Tamale, Ghana.

South Africa’s last three results: an AFCON opening 2-0 defeat at the hands of Mali was followed with an impressive 4-0 destruction of Namibia on Sunday night, with Percy Tau, Themba Zwane (two) and Thapelo Maseko all finding the back of the net. Prior to that, Bafana had recorded a 0-0 draw with Lesotho in a pre-tournament friendly.

Tunisia’s last three results: The North Africans followed their AFCON opening 1-0 defeat at the hands of Namibia with a 1-1 draw against Mali on Saturday night, leaving them in need of a win to have a chance of progressing to the knockout phase. Prior to that, the Eagles of Carthage had beaten Cape Verde 2-0 in a pre-tournament friendly.

Team news: Neither side has any reported injury issues, with South Africa particularly likely to stick the same starting XI that did duty against Namibia, while Tunisia may opt to include Sayfallah Itaief from the start to give them extra legs in midfield.

Key players, South Africa: Themba Zwane’s two-goal performance against Namibia marks him out as a danger, but he is sure to be denied space by Tunisia, which could allow the likes of Thapelo Morena and Percy Tau to shine on the flanks.

Key players, Tunisia: Hamza Rafia scored Tunisia’s goal against Mali and will provide one of the keenest threats to South Africa’s defence, while Anis Ben Slimane and Youssef Msakni could also play important roles in this decisive clash.