Tunisia fought off a resilient Gambia side to earn a crucial 2-1 victory in their Africa Cup of Nations 2025 qualifier on Sunday. Despite facing stiff resistance, Tunisia’s clinical second-half performance allowed them to retain their place atop Group A, keeping their qualification campaign on track.
Fresh from their narrow 1-0 victory against Madagascar, Tunisia entered the match full of confidence and quickly established dominance in the opening minutes.
Determined to solidify their hold on the top spot in Group A, the Carthage Eagles made a strong start at the Ben M’Hamed El Abdi stadium in El Jadida.
The breakthrough came in the 11th minute when Tunisia capitalized on a set-piece opportunity.
Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane’s well-executed free-kick troubled Gambian goalkeeper Sheikh Sibi, who failed to clear the ball effectively.
Tunisia’s Ali Abdi was quick to react, heading the ball into the back of the net to give his side an early 1-0 lead.
It was a promising start for Tunisia, who looked poised to take full control of the game.
Tunisia’s opening goal appeared to set the tone for the match, but Gambia quickly demonstrated their tenacity.
Just three minutes after falling behind, the Scorpions clawed their way back into the contest with a swift counterattack.
Alieu Fadera’s through-ball found Yankuba Minteh, who displayed exceptional dribbling skills to cut through Tunisia’s defense.
Minteh delivered a perfectly weighted pass to Ali Sowe, who calmly slotted the ball past Tunisian goalkeeper Amenallah Memmiche in the 14th minute, leveling the score at 1-1.
The equalizer invigorated Gambia, and they continued to pose a threat throughout the remainder of the first half.
Tunisia struggled to regain their earlier control as the Gambians pressed relentlessly, maintaining a well-organized defense while launching occasional dangerous attacks.
At halftime, the score remained 1-1, with Gambia managing to frustrate the Group A leaders.
Recognizing the need for tactical adjustments, Tunisia’s head coach Faouzi Benzarti made a key substitution at halftime, bringing on forward Haythem Jouini in place of Ali Youssef.
The change injected fresh energy into Tunisia’s attack, with Jouini providing much-needed depth and adding pressure on Gambia’s defense.
As the second half wore on, Tunisia began to reassert their dominance.
Their patience paid off in the 75th minute when they orchestrated a slick passing combination that proved decisive.
Raed Bouchniba delivered a precise pass to Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, who coolly finished past Gambia’s goalkeeper Sheikh Sibi to restore Tunisia’s lead.
The goal was a product of well-coordinated play, and it put the Carthage Eagles back in control of the match.
After regaining the advantage, Tunisia showed their experience and composure by managing the game effectively in the final stages.
Gambia pushed for another equalizer but struggled to break down Tunisia’s defense, which held firm under pressure.
The Carthage Eagles preserved their lead and ultimately secured the 2-1 victory.
Although Tunisia’s performance was far from flawless, their ability to grind out results in challenging circumstances underscored their position as solid leaders of Group A.
The win allows Tunisia to remain at the top of the group standings, while Gambia, despite their resilience, will need to regroup as they continue their fight for a spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Tunisia’s next challenge in the qualifiers will be critical as they seek to build on this momentum and push towards securing their place in the tournament.
