Africa Cup of Nations: Just Two Steps From Glory

Senegal vs Tunisia

They both made it this far in very different ways.

It’s hard to think Tunisia had not won a match in standard time until their convincing quarter-final success over Madagascar.

Senegal, in contrast, made somewhat harder work of despatching other underdogs in Benin, but progress they did, which leaves both potentially 90 minutes away from the showpiece to decide a continent’s finest.

Talking Points

Of the very many Africa Cup of Nations highlights so far, not one nation has stood out as being overwhelming favourites. It remains an open tournament so the permutations also remain intriguing.

The final could potentially be an all-West African or all North African affair. It could also be a battle between the West and North – Africa’s perennial football power blocs.

Senegal is the only team that has yet to taste AFCON glory in the quartet. Nigeria have won it three times, while Algeria and Tunisia have each won it once.

Yet I think Senegal will edge this one and take their place in the 2019 final.

In Sadio Mane they have a player at the top of his game and someone who is the top scorer at the tournament for his country with three goals, despite missing two penalties (he has since stepped down from spot-kick duties).

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He has had a topsy-turvy relationship with the tournament and played two matches in 2015 when his side went out in the first round before, two years ago in Gabon, scoring two goals – although he could not prevent a quarter-final elimination against Cameroon, missing the decisive penalty in the shootout.

Tunisia are determined to make their place in the last four count, however.

They not only progressed to their first AFCON semi-final in 15 years with their victory over debutants and tournament surprise package Madagascar in Cairo but also made it after five successive quarter-final defeats.

They have a fully fit squad to select from after journeyman Wahbi Khazri recovered from a thigh problem to play in the quarter-finals.

Senegal have no fresh injury or suspension concerns and are expected to name an unchanged line up, with the only selection dilemma for coach Aliou Cisse being whether to play Keita Balde or Ismaila Sarr on the wing.

Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy picked up an injury in the tournament opener against Tanzania and remains out of contention.

It’s the second half where Senegal could be well worth watching in this one.

Tunisia have been less convincing than their opponents in Africa Cup of Nations — Tunisian players celebrate after a goal during the African Cup of Nations quarterfinal soccer match against Madagascar

Three of their five matches in this tournament have been goalless at half-time, with five of their seven goals coming in the second half, so don’t be surprised if Senegal secure the victory after the break.

It’s all to play for and we are set for the opening semi-final of AFCON 2019.

History

Tunisia have traditionally got the better of Senegal with nine wins overall compared to their four triumphs. There have also been a further seven draws.

Senegal won their most recent meeting, however, in this competition two years ago when a Sadio Mane penalty and a Kara Mbodji goal inside the first half hour gave them a 2-0 group stage triumph.

That remains Senegal’s only triumph over Tunisia in their last 11 meetings, a run going back to 1989.

They also met in the qualifiers for this competition back in 2014 when a goalless draw was followed just five days later by a 1-0 Tunisia win, courtesy of a last minute Ferjani Sassi winner.

The last time they met in the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations was in 2004 and a quarter-final which Tunisia edged thanks to a solitary Jawhar Mnari goal.