Tunisia underlined their credentials as potential title contenders with a commanding 3-1 victory over Uganda in their Group C opener at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco on Tuesday night, SportPremi Reports.
Ellyes Skhiri opened the scoring early in the first half with a brilliant header, before Elias Achouri added a second before half time to seal a dominant performance.
The impressive Achouri bagged his second of the game in the second half, firing home in the 64th minute, before Denis Omedi pulled one back for Uganda in stoppage-time.
Tunisia move to the top of group C on goal difference, ahead of Nigeria who defeated Tanzania 2-1 earlier in the day.
First half: Tunisia race into two-goal advantage in dominant performance
Tunisia needed a perfect response to the match after Nigeria had set the early tone in the group with victory over Tanzania in their own clash.
They started off brightly and grabbed the lead in the 10th minute as Skhiri headed in a corner from Hannibal Mejri.
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One became two moments before halftime as Achouri scored his first of the night when he fired home into the top corner after being played through by Ali Abdi.
The Carthage Eagles took a 2-0 advantage into the break, underlining their dominance on the encounter.
Second half: Achouri completes brace, Uganda score late consolation
The second half started with Tunisia on top just as it was in the first half, with Uganda offering very little in attack.
The Carthage Eagles grabbed their third of the game in the 64th minute as Achouri completed his brace with a sweet strike.
Uganda had another attempt as Toby Sibbick effort went off target as they remained without a shot on goal.
They pulled one back late in the game with their first effort on target through Omedi, whose shot beat the Tunisian goalkeeper.
The game ended 3-1 in favor of Tunisia, while Uganda must now regroup ahead of their remaining two matches.
Players Ratings
Tunisia Players Ratings:
- Dahmen – 6.4/10
- Valery – 6.8/10
- Bronn – 7.3/10
- Talbi – 6.9/10
- Abdi – 8.3/10
- Sassi – 7.7/10
- Skhiri – 8.0/10
- Mejbri – 8.3/10
- Achouri – 9.2/10
- Mastouri – 6.8/10
- Saad – 6.9/10
Substitutes
- Chaouat – 6.5/10
- Ben Romdhane – 6.7/10
- Teka – 6.0/10
- Gharbi – 6.0/10
- Tounekti – 6.0/10
Uganda Players Ratings:
- Salim – 6.2/10
- Kayondo – 6.7/10
- Obita – 6.1/10
- Torach – 5.9/10
- Sibbick – 6.0/10
- Mato – 7.1/10
- Aucho – 7.1/10
- Semakula – 6.7/10
- Ssemugabi – 5.7/10
- Lorenzen – 6.2/10
- Mukwala – 6.2/10
Substitutes
- Omedi – 7.3/10
- Mutyaba – 6.5/10
- Alhassan – 6.2/10
- Bogere – 6.0/10
- Okello – 6.0/10
Man of the match
Elias Achouri (9.2/10) – The forward was in inspiring mode and netted two of his side’s three goals to lead them to a commanding win over Uganda.
Key Stats
Ball Possession: Tunisia 49% – 51% Uganda
Total Shots: Tunisia 15 – 9 Uganda
Shots on target: Tunisia 6 – 1 Uganda
Pass Accuracy: Tunisia 81% – 81% Uganda
Corners: Tunisia 8 – 2 Uganda
What Next?
Tunisia and Nigeria clash in the top of the table clash on Saturday, as both sides chase qualification for the knockout stages.
Uganda, on the other hand, will look to open their account when they face Tanzania in the other group game on the same day.
