Ismael Gharbi delivered a standout performance as Tunisia drew 1–1 with Tanzania at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, earning the Man of the Match award in this AFCON 2025 Group clash.
From the first whistle, the Tunisian playmaker was at the heart of his team’s best moves, constantly demanding the ball and finding space between the lines.
Gharbi came close early on with a superb left-foot curler that smashed against the post, a warning of what was to come. Just before half-time, he finally broke the deadlock from the penalty spot after Hazem Mastouri was fouled in the box, giving Tunisia a deserved 1–0 lead at the break.
After the interval, Tunisia chose to sit back, and that caution allowed Tanzania to grow into the game and eventually level through Feisal Salum’s bouncing strike from the edge of the area.
Despite the equaliser, Gharbi’s influence never dipped, as he kept the ball moving and helped Tunisia manage a result that secured qualification while keeping Tanzania’s knockout hopes alive.
