RABAT, MOROCCO — Tanzania salvaged a crucial 1-1 draw against Tunisia at the Stade Olympique de Rabat, with Feisal Salum's second-half thunderbolt canceling out Ismaël Gharbi's first-half penalty in a tactically intriguing Africa Cup of Nations clash.
Tunisia dominated the ball with 64% possession, pinning Tanzania back for long stretches, yet found themselves frustrated by a resilient Taifa Stars side that defended with discipline and struck with clinical precision when the opportunity arose. The Carthage Eagles controlled territory and tempo but lacked the cutting edge to turn their territorial superiority into a decisive advantage.
The opening goal arrived in controversial circumstances in the 43rd minute. Hazem Mastouri drove into the Tanzania penalty area where Ibrahim Hamad's challenge brought him down, prompting a lengthy VAR review that ultimately confirmed the spot-kick. Gharbi stepped up confidently, drilling his right-footed penalty low to the bottom right corner past Hussein Masalanga to give Tunisia a deserved lead heading into the interval.
Tanzania emerged from the break with renewed purpose, and their tactical adjustment paid immediate dividends. Just three minutes into the second half, Novatus Miroshi collected possession in midfield and threaded a pass to Feisal Salum lurking 25 yards from goal. The midfielder took one touch to set himself before unleashing a magnificent right-footed strike that arrowed into the bottom left corner, leaving Tunisian goalkeeper Amanallah Memmiche with no chance. The equalizer shifted the momentum completely, forcing Tunisia to rebuild their attacking patterns.
The tactical battle centered on Tunisia's attempts to break down Tanzania's compact defensive block. Hannibal Mejbri and Gharbi probed for openings in the half-spaces, while Ellyes Skhiri anchored the midfield, but Tanzania's defensive discipline—marshaled by Bakari Mwamnyeto and Ibrahim Hamad—proved difficult to penetrate. Despite finishing level on shots (six apiece) and shots on target (two each), Tunisia's possession dominance never translated into sustained pressure. Masalanga made one crucial save in the 65th minute, denying Seifeddine Jaziri's header after Gharbi's pinpoint cross, while at the other end, Simon Msuva's 62nd-minute header from close range sailed agonizingly wide.
The physical nature of Tanzania's defensive approach became evident in the disciplinary statistics—three yellow cards to Tunisia's one—with Ibrahim Hamad, Bakari Mwamnyeto, and Simon Msuva all cautioned. The referee's whistle blew 14 times for Tunisian fouls compared to nine for Tanzania, reflecting the Carthage Eagles' frustration at being unable to impose their technical superiority on the contest.
The turning point came with Tunisia's substitutions in the 64th minute, introducing Seifeddine Jaziri and Naïm Sliti in search of fresh attacking impetus. However, Tanzania's defensive structure held firm through a nervy final 10 minutes, with Dickson Job and Alphonce Msanga providing crucial defensive cover in wide areas. Montassar Talbi and Sebastian Tounekti worked tirelessly in Tunisia's backline but couldn't prevent the occasional Tanzania counter-threat, particularly through the pace of Mbwana Samatta before his substitution.