Africa Cup of Nations 2019: Tunisia reach last 16 after Mauritania draw

Naim Sliti, Tunisia

Naim Sliti and co will face Ghana in the last 16

Tunisia reached the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations despite drawing 0-0 with Mauritania in Suez.

The result means Tunisia finish as Group E runners-up and will face Ghana in the last 16 of the tournament.

Youssef Msakni could have earned the Eagles of Carthage the win in the second half but his header was saved by goalkeeper Brahim Souleymane.

Debutants Mauritania finish bottom of the group with two points from their three games.

The West African side dominated the first half but Mohamed Dellahi Yali, Ismael Diakite and Hacen all spurned good opportunities to break the deadlock.

Msakni nearly snatched the victory for Tunisia in the final minute of normal time but Souleymane managed to get a strong hand to the 28-year-old’s goal-bound header.

Mali topped Group E after beating Angola 1-0 in Ismailia.

Analysis

By BBC Arabic’s Mohamed Qoutb

The inexperienced Mauritanian players looked comfortable for the first time in the tournament in the first half. They made good use of their advantage in aerial duels and applied pressure on the Tunisian goal without scoring.

Tunisia – despite bringing Bassem Srarfi in from the start – remained out of rhythm and needed efforts from Msakni and Wahbi Khazri to threaten the Mauritanian goalkeeper.

A disappointing Tunisian side reach the second round without showing anything that would justify putting them as favourites for the tournament, while a brave Mauritanian squad will walk away from their first Afcon campaign with a lot of lessons to learn.

Live Text

Match ends, Mauritania 0, Tunisia 0.

Second Half ends, Mauritania 0, Tunisia 0.

Foul by Taha Khenissi (Tunisia).

Aly Abeid (Mauritania) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Yassine Meriah (Tunisia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Souleymane Anne (Mauritania).

Attempt saved. Youssef Msakni (Tunisia) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Wahbi Khazri with a cross.

Taha Khenissi (Tunisia) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Foul by Moctar Sidi El Hacen (Mauritania).

Substitution, Mauritania. Souleymane Anne replaces Bessam.

Attempt missed. Wajdi Kechrida (Tunisia) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Wahbi Khazri following a set piece situation.

Mohamed Dräger (Tunisia) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Foul by Aly Abeid (Mauritania).

Attempt saved. Moustapha Diaw (Mauritania) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Moctar Sidi El Hacen.

Foul by Karim Aouadhi (Tunisia).

Adama Ba (Mauritania) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Taha Khenissi (Tunisia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Bessam (Mauritania).

Corner, Mauritania. Conceded by Mohamed Dräger.

Attempt blocked. Moctar Sidi El Hacen (Mauritania) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Ibrahima Coulibaly.

Substitution, Tunisia. Mohamed Dräger replaces Naim Sliti.

Attempt saved. Youssef Msakni (Tunisia) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Wahbi Khazri.

Foul by Wahbi Khazri (Tunisia).

Mohamed Dellahi Yali (Mauritania) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Dylan Bronn (Tunisia).

Diallo Guidileye (Mauritania) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Attempt missed. Dylan Bronn (Tunisia) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Wahbi Khazri with a cross following a corner.

Corner, Tunisia. Conceded by Bakary N´Diaye.

Youssef Msakni (Tunisia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Diallo Guidileye (Mauritania).

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Delay in match because of an injury Adama Ba (Mauritania).

Foul by Karim Aouadhi (Tunisia).

Adama Ba (Mauritania) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Foul by Naim Sliti (Tunisia).

Moctar Sidi El Hacen (Mauritania) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Substitution, Mauritania. Diallo Guidileye replaces Diadié Diarra because of an injury.

Delay in match because of an injury Diadié Diarra (Mauritania).

Attempt missed. Taha Khenissi (Tunisia) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Oussama Haddadi with a cross.

Africa Cup of Nations 2019: Tunisia reach last 16 after Mauritania draw