12 February 2011
Tunisia took a giant step towards the quarterfinals of the 2011 African Nations Championship on Friday when they defeated Rwanda 3-1 in Port Sudan.
The Group D result dumps the Rwandans out of the competition and leaves the Carthage Eagles top of the pool on four points, above Senegal on goal-difference, and ahead of Angola (one point) and Rwanda (zero).
The Tunisians were led by skipper Oussama Darragi, who dominated the midfield and gave his side the lead midway through the first period with a shot from the edge of the area.
Rwanda struck back just two minutes later though as Jacques Tuyisenge equalised after a finemazy run.
The scoring continued as Gasdaoui Slama headed home Zouhaier Dhaouadi’s cross just past the half-hour mark and from there the Tunisians never looked like giving up the points.
Dhaouadi netted a third just before halftime and although the scoreline remained the same to the end of the game, Rwandan goalkeeper Jean Claude Ndoli was outstanding in the second period with some outstanding saves.
Tunisia take on Senegal in their final Group D game on Tuesday, with both sides knowing that a point will see them into the knockout stages.
Senegal and Angola drew 0-0 in the pool’s other match on Friday, leaving the Angolans needing to beat Rwanda in the final game and hoping that there is a clear winner in the Tunisia-Senegal match if they are to progress.
