Tunisia’s record streak of 17 consecutive Africa Cup of Nations appearances is under serious threat after a 2-0 defeat to North African rivals Libya left them winless and rooted to the bottom of Group H.
The Carthage Eagles felt aggrieved by key refereeing decisions in Sfax. Just before half-time, Ali Maaloul was penalised for a shirt pull on Muad Eisay, allowing Ali Youssef to convert the resulting penalty. Tunisia then had a goal disallowed for a marginal offside in the second half, and moments later Hamdou El Houni doubled Libya’s advantage with a low finish. The result lifts Libya, who last featured at the finals in 2012, into second place, level on points with Uganda.
In Group D, South Africa were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw against Kenya in Johannesburg, leaving them a single point clear of Guinea at the summit. The hosts took an early lead courtesy of an Amos Wanjala own goal, only for Michael Olunga to level from the spot just before the interval. Relebohile Mofokeng restored Bafana Bafana’s lead with 13 minutes remaining, but Ryan Ogam snatched a dramatic equaliser for the Harambee Stars in the 90th minute, his low drive from 20 yards creeping inside the post.
Elsewhere, a stoppage-time winner from Elohim Kabore secured a 1-0 victory for Burkina Faso over Mauritania in Ouagadougou, moving the Stallions level on seven points with Benin at the top of Group F. Meanwhile, Cape Verde recorded their first points of the Group K campaign in emphatic fashion, overcoming Liberia 4-2 in Praia.