Tunisia’s AFCON qualifying campaign in crisis after Libya defeat

Tunisia suffered their worst home defeat in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying as Libya won 2-0 in Friday’s Group H meeting in Sfax.

The result extended Tunisia’s difficult start to the 2027 qualifying campaign and gave Libya one of the round’s notable victories.

It was the largest margin by which Tunisia have lost at home in the history of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying appearances. They had also never previously been two goals behind in a home qualifier for the competition.

Tunisia’s defeat ended a run of more than 25 years without losing a qualifier by two goals. Their previous defeat by that margin came on 24 March 2001, when they were beaten 2-0 by Morocco in Rabat.

The result also produced Tunisia’s poorest start to a continental qualifying campaign. For the first time, they have failed to win any of their opening three matches, drawing twice and losing once to collect two points from a possible nine.

Libya took the lead shortly before half-time when Ali Youssef converted a 44th-minute penalty. The spot-kick was awarded after Ali Maaloul challenged Libya forward Mouayed Issa.

Tunisia attempted to respond after the interval but were punished again on the counter-attack. Hamdou Elhouni doubled Libya’s advantage in the 62nd minute, finishing a quick break with a shot into the net.

The hosts continued to search for a way back into the match, but Libya held on to secure a valuable victory at Taieb Mhiri Stadium in Sfax.

Tunisia face a difficult qualification route

The defeat increases the pressure on Tunisia manager Mouine Chaabani, who was appointed in an attempt to restore stability after a difficult period of disappointing results and repeated changes to the coaching staff.

Tunisia began their Group H campaign with a 1-1 draw against Uganda before being held to a 2-2 draw by Botswana. They have now dropped four points from those two matches and followed them with a defeat by Libya.

Their qualification situation is made more difficult by the structure of the group. Uganda, one of the hosts of the 2027 tournament alongside Kenya and Tanzania, have already qualified automatically. That leaves only one additional qualification place for Tunisia, Libya and Botswana to contest.

Friday’s result is particularly damaging for Tunisia because it came against a direct rival for that remaining place.

The two teams will meet again in Libya next Tuesday in the fourth round of fixtures. That match will offer Tunisia an immediate opportunity to repair their campaign, while another setback could leave them further adrift in the race to qualify.