Tunisia booked their place in the quarter-finals of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) with a resounding 5-0 victory over Niger in their final Group C match in Rwanda.
The Carthage Eagles, who had drawn their opening two fixtures, produced a dominant display to secure their first win of the tournament and finish top of the group.
Espérance midfielder **Saad Bguir was the standout performer**, scoring twice in the first half to set Tunisia on their way. Ahmed Akaichi, already among the tournament’s top scorers, added his fourth goal of the competition after the break, before Mohamed Ali Ben Amor and Hichem Essifi completed the rout.
Head coach **Hatem Missaoui** praised his side’s clinical edge after the match.
> “It’s a victory that comes at the right time,” Missaoui told BeIN Sports. “Morale is high because we’re progressing to the next round without having suffered a defeat. We’re here to reach at least the semi-finals, and we’re one step away from achieving our goal. The group is doing well and the atmosphere is good.”
The coach also highlighted the importance of efficiency in front of goal — something Tunisia had lacked in their first two group matches.
> “Today, we had to be more efficient in front of goal to avoid the same scenario as the first two matches. We were successful, and what pleases me most is that many players scored, and those who came into the team contributed.”
Tunisia’s emphatic win, combined with Guinea’s 1-0 upset victory over Nigeria, means the Carthage Eagles top Group C with five points, level with Guinea but ahead on goal difference. Nigeria, bronze medallists in 2014, are eliminated, while Niger exit bottom with just one point.
The result boosts Tunisia’s confidence as they look to reach the semi-finals — their minimum target, according to Missaoui.
