Tunisia trail Libya after Maaloul concedes penalty in AFCON qualifier

Tunisia were behind at half-time against Libya after veteran left-back Ali Maaloul gave away a penalty in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.

Maaloul pulled down a Libya player during a Tunisia counter-attack, prompting the referee to award a spot-kick. Libya converted the penalty to take a 1-0 lead into the interval.

Tunisia are seeking their first victory in Group H, having drawn their opening two matches against Uganda and Botswana. Libya, meanwhile, are aiming to claim three points and improve their position in the group.

The match is particularly significant because both sides have made difficult starts to the qualification campaign. Their two head-to-head meetings could prove decisive in determining which team is best placed to secure the group’s remaining qualification place.

Tunisia began with a 1-1 draw against Uganda before surrendering a lead in a 2-2 draw with Botswana. Hazem Mastouri scored both Tunisia goals in that match, but he is absent for the two games against Libya because of injury. The coaching staff called up Mohamed El Sadeq Guedida as his replacement.

Tunisia are managed by Moein Chaabani, who took charge in the summer of 2026. He previously led Esperance Tunis to successive CAF Champions League titles in 2018 and 2019.

Chaabani is attempting to restore stability to the Eagles of Carthage with a squad containing several players with extensive international experience, including Ferjani Sassi, Issa Laidouni, Ali Maaloul and Montassar Talbi.

Libya drew 2-2 with Botswana in their opening fixture before losing 1-0 to Uganda. They have therefore collected one point from their first two matches.

Their team is coached by Youssef Dabo, who will hope to use the two meetings with Tunisia to revive Libya’s qualification hopes.

The group’s qualification picture is complicated by Uganda’s automatic place at the finals as one of the tournament’s host nations, alongside Kenya and Tanzania. As a result, the remaining qualification berth in Group H will go to the highest-placed team among Tunisia, Libya and Botswana.

The return fixture between Libya and Tunisia will be played in Tripoli on 17 November 2026, when Libya host the second meeting. That makes the outcome of the current match even more important to both teams’ calculations.