CAN 2024: Tunisia, insufficient, packs its bags, Namibia wins historic qualification

What can we say about this match, except that Tunisia, which presented itself as a small outsider in this CAN 2024, is prematurely eliminated from the competition? The Carthage Eagles, after this 0-0 against South Africa in San Pedro this Wednesday, January 24, have only two points and fail in last place in Group E.

And what can we say about this Tunisia, except that the football on offer was far too weak to hope for a ticket to the round of 16. Jalel Kadri's men never looked inspired, never in these 90 minutes did they give the impression of a team that needed to score to survive.

After a completely locked, if not boring, first period, Bafana Bafana even showed themselves to be much more dangerous in the second act. Thapelo Morena took a cross well to force Béchir Ben Saïd to lie down (53rd). Sphephelo Sithole and Teboho Mokoena in turn sent shivers through long-range shots (76th, 77th). Before Ben Saïd is again forced to parade to save his family with a helmet strike from Evidence Makgopa.

In the last six minutes, the Carthage Eagles put the pressure on, but it was too late, it was from the start of this CAN that we had to start playing. For its part, South Africa is satisfied with second place in the group with four points.

Historic Namibia

At the Laurent Pokou Stadium in San Pedro, Eric Chelle's Mali, who had drawn against Tunisia on the second day, faced a team from Namibia that dreamed of reaching the second round in the event of a victory or even from zero. An exceptional result for all the Brave warriors, entered for the fourth time in the final phase of the CAN, since the creation of the tournament.

“We will do our best. Namibia has no pressure. It will be a fantastic match,” captain Peter Shalulile, striker for Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa, had indicated the day before. And he didn't lie, with a 0-0, the ticket for the round of 16 is validated thanks to a presence among the best thirds.

Despite the goalless draw, it should be noted that the first opportunity of this balanced meeting was Namibian. Prins Menelik Tjiueza, who served in the Malian area, crossed his shot and finally deflected onto the post (16th). The Malians responded twice with Fousseni with a powerful strike from the left (21st) and Lassine Sinayoko, served on a cross, but who did not hit his head (28th).

At the hour mark, we only had two shots on target... and that's it, for this 0-0 which suited everyone. It is in the city that hosts the largest cocoa port in the world that Namibia celebrated its passage to the second round, for the very first time in its history. While Mali quietly consolidated first place in its group to ensure a more favorable future in the next round.

The reaction of Namibians after the historic qualification in the round of 16

“Thank you for selecting me man of the match. It was not easy. Mali had character and quality players. We fought, it was our day. We just needed a point tonight, and we did it. We wanted to progress to the round of 16. It’s the work of a whole team and a whole staff,” rejoiced the man of the match, Namibian Deon Hotto, midfielder for Orlando Pirates in South Africa.

“I am proud of the character of my players. It’s huge what’s happening today. This result is the fruit of a certain mentality. We didn't just play a football match. We played to give emotion to our people and achieve an exploit. We will enjoy it because we are a small nation. Namibia needs hope. This is the power of sport. All Namibians have the right to dream,” commented coach Collin Benjamin.