South Africa secured their spot in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations last 16 with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Tunisia.
The stalemate condemned Tunisia to elimination, finishing at the bottom of Group E alongside Ghana and Algeria. Despite needing a victory to progress, Tunisia struggled to make an impact in a match marked by scarce scoring opportunities.
The Eagles of Carthage’s best chance materialized in the 89th minute when substitute Haythem Jouini missed a header from six yards. A brief injury-time flurry ensued, but throughout the game, Tunisia displayed an unusual lack of intensity. South Africa managed to thwart the 2004 champions, earning their ticket to the next round.
Prior to Tunisia’s late attempt, South Africa had crafted the better openings, yet neither goalkeeper faced particularly challenging saves, rendering the match arguably the most lackluster of the tournament thus far.
A last-minute goal for Tunisia would have reversed their fortunes, ousting South Africa from contention. However, with Namibia and Mali also playing to a 0-0 draw, South Africa secured the second spot in Group E, setting up a clash with the Group F winner, potentially Morocco, on the following Tuesday.
The conclusion of Group E marked a notable departure from the preceding 32 games in the tournament, all devoid of goalless draws. The overdue 0-0 results simultaneously occurred in the matches between Namibia and Mali. Unlike Tunisia, the draw proved sufficient for Namibia and Mali to progress.
While the final fixtures of Group E may be forgettable, the tournament had witnessed remarkable drama in clashes such as Mozambique vs. Ghana, Cape Verde vs. Egypt, and Guinea vs. Cameroon, ensuring overall entertainment despite the lackluster ending.
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