Chikhaoui nets late winner as Tunisia beat Zambia
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ByEurosport
Updated 23/01/2015 at 08:18 GMT
African Cup of Nations, Group B, Estadio De Ebebiyin - Zambia 1 (Mayuka 59) Tunisia 2 (Akaichi 70, Chikhaoui 89)
Tunisia's players celebrate after scoring a second goal against Zambia (AFP)
Image credit: AFP
Yassine Chikhaoui headed an 88th-minute winner as Tunisia came from behind to beat the 2011 champions Zambia 2-1 in the African Cup of Nations Group B encounter in Ebebiyin.
Georges Leekens men were outplayed for the first hour, with Rainford Kalaba instrumental in the playmaker role for the Chipolopolo, and took the lead on the hour mark through Southampton striker Emmanuel Mayuka's emphatic finish.
Mayuka injured himself as he attempted to convert another Kalaba pass seven minutes later, and his team-mates switched off as he got lengthy treatment on the touchline, allowing Ahmed Akaichi to level on 70 minutes following some lax Zambia defending from a corner.
Tunisia then caught Zambia on the break as Carthage Eagles captain Chikhaoui headed home an emphatic winner from Youssef Msakni's inch-perfect cross.
Tunisia, with four points from two matches, face DR Congo in Bata on Monday while Zambia will meet Cape Verbe in Ebebiyin in their final group match.
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Tunisia's midfielder Youssef Msakni (C) vies with Zambia's midfielder Lubambo Musonda (L) during the 2015 African Cup of Nations group B football match between Zambia and Tunisia in Ebebiyin on January 22, 2015 (AFP)
Image credit: AFP
KEY MOMENTS
14' – HITS THE POST! Zambia switch quickly with Singuluma releasing Kalaba, but his shot clips the post with Mathlouthi scrambling.
18' – CHANCE! Mweene clutches on to the shot from Saihi following Munthali's header clear from Khazri's free-kick.
33' – CHANCE! Mathlouthi beats away Kalaba's effort from the edge of the area following Mayuka's run and pass down the left.
34' – CHANCE! Kalaba shoots just wide after Maaloul makes a mess of a clearance under pressure from Kangwa.
38' – SAVE! Mathlouthi makes a one-handed to save Sunzu's awkward backpost volley from Musonda's deep cross from the right.
40'- CHANCE! Mayuka gets in between two defenders in the Tunisia box to meet Musonda's cross from the left but his header is weak and straight at Mathlouthi.
44' - WHAT A CHANCE! Ben Youssef fluffs a clearance in the box, but Mayuka miskicks the volley and Mathlouthi gratefully holds on.
60' - GOAL! Zambia 1-0 Tunisia. Kalaba shows great technique to control the bouncing ball, then flicks the ball up at the far post for Mayuka to slam the ball past Mathlouthi.
66' – CHANCE! Kalaba gets inside Bedoui and crosses, and Mayuka is just unable to stretch to poke in at the far post.
70' - GOAL! Zambia 1-1 Tunisia.Akaichi pokes home at the far post following a flicked corner and somehow it is 1-1.
81' - PENALTY SHOUT! Mbola clips Mancer in the box but the referee waves play on, smiling. Did the Tunisia attacker dive too much, even though there was contact?
88' - GOAL! Zambia 1-2 Tunisia. And the Carthage Eagles may have nicked it here. Chikhaoui runs on to the cross from Msakni ahead of Mbola and heads a bullet header past Mweene.
KEY STATS
Zambia have not won a match in the tournament since lifting the trophy in 2012 - drawing four before this defeat.
However, it was Zambia's first defeat in the tournament in normal play since a group stage defeat to Angola in 2010.
Tunisia are now unbeaten in five Cup of Nations clashes with Zambia, drawing two and winning three, including a shock 4-2 semi-final win in 1996.
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Zambia's forward Evans Kangwa (L) vies with Tunisia's defender Syam Ben Youssef during the 2015 African Cup of Nations group B match between Zambia and Tunisia
Image credit: AFP
MAN OF THE MATCH
Rainford Kalaba(Zambia): The baby-faced 28-year-old is playing his club football in Congo after failing to shine in Portugal following his 2008 signing for Sporting Braga. He may now be back on European clubs' radars after an impressive first-half showing in Tunisia, though he faded as the match went on.
PLAYER RATINGS
Zambia: Mweene 7, Nkausu 6, Munthali 6, Sunzu 6, Mbola 6, Mtonga 7, Musonda 7, Kalaba 8, Singuluma 6, Kangwa 6, Mayuka 6. Subs: Mulenga 7, Mwanza 6,
Tunisia: Mathlouthi 6, Ben Youssef 6, Abdenour 6, Bedoui 7, Ragued 6, Msakni 6, Chikhaoui 7, Maaloui 7, Khazri 6, Khalifa 6,Saihi 6. Subs: Moncer 7, Sassi 6, Younes 6.
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