Already qualified for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, Tunisia concluded their qualifying campaign with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Eswatini, much to the delight of Alain Giresse, the French coach making his debut with the Eagles of Carthage on the final day of qualifiers. The match, while largely one-sided, allowed Tunisia to finish at the top of Group J with 15 points, underlining their dominance throughout the campaign.
The scoring opened in the 21st minute when Ben Yousseff found the net, giving Tunisia an early advantage. This was followed by Badri in the 34th minute, and after halftime, Tunisia continued their offensive display with Sliti scoring in the 53rd minute. Meriah then capped the scoring in the 62nd minute, sealing a comprehensive win and demonstrating the attacking prowess of the Carthage Eagles.
Despite the comfortable scoreline, the match revealed some areas needing improvement. The Tunisian players, who had not trained together for several months, occasionally lacked cohesion and precision, particularly in build-up play. Nevertheless, the team’s overwhelming superiority against Eswatini largely masked these shortcomings. The visitors’ limited quality, compounded by injuries that forced both of their goalkeepers off the field, made it difficult to accurately gauge Tunisia’s readiness ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Egypt.
Coach Alain Giresse expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, particularly given that it was his first competitive outing in charge. The victory provided an opportunity to assess key players, experiment with tactical formations, and establish his authority over the squad. Tunisia’s offensive efficiency and discipline in defense reflected both the players’ experience and Giresse’s immediate impact in instilling confidence and structure.
With this result, Tunisia tops Group J, having collected fifteen points, a testament to their consistent performances throughout the qualifiers. While the strength of Eswatini limits the match’s analytical value, the win allows Tunisia to conclude the campaign on a high note, giving fans and management confidence heading into Egypt this summer.
Group J will conclude on Saturday with the final match between Niger and Egypt, which will determine the second qualifying spot. For Tunisia, however, qualification has been secure for some time, allowing Giresse to focus on building the team for the AFCON finals without the pressure of points or standings.
Overall, Tunisia’s 4-0 win highlights the team’s attacking depth, individual quality, and ability to capitalize on opportunities. It also sets a positive tone for the new coach’s tenure, offering him a platform to refine strategies, integrate returning players, and prepare for the challenges that await in Egypt. While the true measure of Tunisia’s strength will come against stronger opposition in the finals, the team’s performance against Eswatini provided both a morale boost and an early indication of the attacking capabilities at Giresse’s disposal.
In conclusion, Tunisia’s qualifiers end on a dominant note, showcasing the Eagles of Carthage as a team capable of controlling games, scoring efficiently, and maintaining defensive stability, all under the guidance of a new coach ready to make his mark on African football.
