Ferjani Sassi’s late goal against Senegal was nothing short of heroic for Tunisia in the context of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) qualifiers. With the match seemingly destined for another goalless draw—just like their prior meeting—Sassi’s injury-time strike delivered a crucial 1-0 win in Monastir, and possibly a turning point in Group G.
🔥 Why This Goal Matters:
Crucial three points: Tunisia took sole leadership of Group G, putting them in pole position for qualification.
Psychological boost: Scoring in stoppage time against a strong Senegal side—after a hard-fought draw days earlier—showed Tunisia’s resilience and determination.
Bench impact: Sassi came on as a substitute and delivered under pressure. His humility in post-match comments—crediting the team—underlined the squad’s unity.
🗨️ What He Said:
“It’s not Sassi’s victory, it’s that of all the players who gave everything. The important thing tonight was the three points… Being on the bench doesn’t bother me. I was focused and ready to help my teammates as soon as the coach brought me on.”
That mindset—team-first, focused, and composed—is often what separates good squads from great ones in tournament qualifiers. Tunisia’s ability to dig deep and win late is exactly the kind of performance that championship-caliber teams build on.
