Tanzania reached the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time, 45 years after their maiden appearance, by coming from behind to draw 1-1 with fellow qualifiers Tunisia in Rabat.
Ismael Gharbi converted a penalty just before half-time for Tunisia, and Feisal Salum levelled early in the second half in the Moroccan capital.
Tanzania have been trying since 1980 to advance beyond the group stage, and have still to win a match in four appearances. They squeezed into the round of 16 after two draws and one loss.
Tunisia finished second in Group C with four points, five less than table-toppers Nigeria. Tanzania pipped Angola on goals scored for one of four places reserved for third-placed teams.
Raphael Onyedika scored twice as already qualified Nigeria overcame 10-man Uganda 3-1 in the other Group C match to maintain a 100 percent record after the group stage.
Only Tunisia know their next opponents. They will face Mali in Rabat on Saturday in the round of 16. Who Nigeria and Tanzania meet has yet to be decided.
Argentina-born Tanzania coach Miguel Gamondi gave an AFCON debut to 33-year-old goalkeeper Hussein Masaranga, one of three changes to the team that drew with Uganda in their previous match.
Tunisia coach Sami Trabelsi dropped another 33-year-old, captain Ferjani Sassi, to the bench, but the midfielder came on early in the second half to win his 100th cap.
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Audacious goal attempt ,
Ismael Gharbi struck the post for Tunisia early on. He then saw an audacious long-range effort land on the roof of the netting to the relief of poorly positioned Masaranga.
After reviewing a goalmouth incident on the pitchside VAR monitor, the Congolese referee gave Tunisia a slight advantage in the lead and went ahead on 43 minutes.
Ibrahim Hamad was accused of fouling Hazem Mastouri in big-screen replays. Gharbi converted the spot kick.
Feisal Salum levelled two minutes into the second half to give the game a one-minute lead. The ball slipped past Aymen Dahmen into the corner after he fired a goalward from beyond the D.
In Fes, Nigeria advanced on 28 minutes thanks to a clever move that made use of the defense’s available space.
Despite being surrounded by three opponents, Onuachu struck the net with a deft pass from Bruno Onyemaechi.
Salim Magoola, Uganda’s goalkeeper, was sent off for handling outside the area on 56 minutes. Denis Onyango, a 40-year-old captain, was replaced for the second half by Magoola.
With the game less than an hour away, Legason Alionz, the third goalkeeper used by Uganda, came on. As Nigeria jumped out to a three-goal lead in eight minutes, Raphael Onyedika beat him twice in eight minutes.
Shots were fired by Onyedika twice to find the bottom right corner. On both occasions, Samuel Chukwueze, a loanee from AC Milan, scored the midfielder.
Source: Channels TV
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