Tunisia beat Zimbabwe 4-2 on Monday, January 23 to join Senegal as the quarter-finalists from Group B in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.
With at least a draw needed to seal their qualification, the Carthage Eagles began the onslaught as early as the 10th minute when Naim Sliti put his side ahead.
Exactly 10 minutes later Qatar-based Youssef Msakni extended the lead for the 2004 champions.
Esperance’s Yassine Khenissi deepened the woes of Zimbabwe as he got Tunisia’s third with barely 10 minutes to the break.
But Belgium-based Knowledge Musona pulled one back. That lasted only for a short time as Sunderland’s Wahbi Khazri ensured that his side was in a commanding lead at half time.
Another goal from the Warriors in the second half could not rescue them from going out of the tournament, which they returned to after the 2006 edition in Egypt.
The match ended 4-2 in favour of Tunisia, who will face Burkina Faso in the first quarter-final game on Saturday, January 28.
Africa’s top-ranked side Algeria could not live up to their favourites tag once more as they exited the tournament without a win.
A 2-2 draw on the final day for Group B came painfully for them.
The Algerians had started fairly well after going ahead in the 10th minute through eventual Man of the Match Islam Slimani but allowed Senegal to come back with a Papakouli Diop goal.
The Desert Foxes began the second half the same as they started the first and their second lead was cut again by Senegal, who topped the group with seven points.
The Teranga Lions, yet to win a continental trophy, will play Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions in the second quarter-final match on Saturday.
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