Tunisia face must-win Libya clash in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying

Tunisia host Libya at the Stade Taieb-Mehiri on Friday, 13 November 2026, knowing another failure to win could seriously damage both sides’ hopes of reaching the Africa Cup of Nations 2027.

The Group H rivals have collected no victories from their opening two matches. Tunisia are third with two points from a possible six, while Libya sit bottom, leaving little room for error in the first match of a crucial two-game meeting. The return fixture will be played in Tripoli next Thursday.

Tunisia’s difficult start comes despite their remarkable record of qualifying for each of the past 17 Africa Cup of Nations finals, the longest active run of its kind in Africa. Moin Chaabani’s side were held by Uganda and Botswana in their opening games, extending a difficult 2026 in which they are currently eight matches without a win. They have also conceded in each of their past seven outings.

The Aigles de Carthage have traditionally performed strongly in qualifying, finishing top of their group in five of the previous six editions. However, their current position has raised the prospect of missing the continental finals for the first time since 1992.

Tunisia can draw confidence from their recent head-to-head record. They have won the past four meetings with Libya in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, and home advantage gives them the edge before the two teams meet again in Tripoli.

Libya have appeared at only three Africa Cup of Nations finals and are seeking a fourth qualification. Their campaign began with a promising comeback against Botswana, when they recovered from two goals down to earn a draw, but they then lost 1-0 in Uganda despite an encouraging display.

The Knights of the Mediterranean had ended 2025 with a five-match unbeaten run, including three wins and two draws. They have since gone five matches without victory in all competitions, while their record of one win in their past 13 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches highlights the scale of the challenge facing Youssouph Dabo.

Tunisia’s qualifying form is draw-draw, while their overall record is loss-loss-loss-loss-draw-draw. Libya’s corresponding records are draw-loss and win-loss-draw-draw-draw-loss.

The hosts will be without Elias Achouri, Ellyes Skhiri and Hannibal Mejbri because of injuries. Hazem Mastouri will attract attention after scoring twice against Botswana, taking his international tally to three goals in his past two appearances.

Ferjani Sassi is set to win his 105th cap, which would see him equal Radhi Jaidi’s record for the most appearances for Tunisia. For Libya, Ezzeddine Al Mariami has been involved in each of his team’s past three goals. Osama Al Shreimy, 25, who plays for Club Africain in Tunisia, will hope to make an impact in familiar surroundings.

The prediction is for Tunisia to win 3-1. The exact-score selection is listed at odds of 12.00 with Betclic, while Tunisia to win is priced at 1.30, over 2.5 goals at 2.00 and both teams to score at 2.50.