Tunisia and Botswana meet on Sunday evening in a decisive Group B fixture at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, with both teams clinging to hopes of reaching the quarterfinals as one of the best third-placed finishers.
Kick-off is scheduled for 19:00 GMT, in what promises to be a tense and closely contested encounter.
After collecting just one point from their opening two matches, Tunisia come into this match under pressure but still in control of their destiny.
A defeat to Nigeria (3-0) was followed by a more disciplined performance against Algeria, earning a goalless draw that has left the Carthage Eagles in third place heading into the final matchday.
Victory against Botswana is not just desired—it is essential.
Facing them are the Mares of Botswana, who sit bottom of the group with zero points and no goals scored.
They have suffered back-to-back 1-0 losses to Algeria and Nigeria, results that reflect a struggling attack but also a resilient defence.
With nothing to lose, Botswana will aim to cause an upset and potentially salvage a historic qualification.
While Tunisia may take some confidence from their recent form, they must remain wary.
Botswana’s compact defensive structure has proven difficult to break down, and the longer the match stays goalless, the more pressure will build on the North Africans.
Tunisia’s head coach will likely look to attacking leaders such as Sabah Shaiek to find the spark needed to unlock the Mares’ defence.
History offers a slight edge to Tunisia. The two teams last met in a friendly on 15 July 2024, when Tunisia came out on top with a 1-0 win, courtesy of a goal from Shaiek.
That result, though not part of the official tournament, has contributed to Tunisia’s psychological edge and tactical preparation.
Still, in tournament football, past results offer no guarantees.
Tunisia must improve their attacking efficiency to avoid a premature exit from a competition that has already seen surprises.
Botswana, meanwhile, will hope to combine their solid backline with a much-needed breakthrough up front.
Sunday’s fixture is more than just a battle for three points—it’s a final chance for survival.
The outcome will determine whether either of these teams extends their stay in Morocco or bows out with regrets.
