South Africa’s fate hangs in the balance when they take on Tunisia at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in a crucial Group E match at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Wednesday.
After a shaky start with a 2-0 loss to Mali, Bafana thrashed Namibia 4-0. Percy Tau, Themba Zwane (2 goals) and Thapelo Maseko all scored to show the strength of the South African attack.
Meanwhile, Tunisia have struggled in their first two matches. They lost 1-0 to Namibia and then barely managed a 1-1 draw against Mali. The Carthage Eagles need a win to secure a place in the knockout stage as they have failed to progress after winning at least one game in the group stage of any African Cup of Nations.
Prediction.
South Africa’s first win over Namibia in four matches will boost their confidence. Themba Zwane’s excellent form has increased their attacking threat and they are keen to avoid a repeat of their past loss to Tunisia in this match.
Tunisia, on the other hand, are desperate for a win. While their defence was relatively solid, their attack was lacklustre, failing to score in their opening game and relying on Hamza Rafia to equalise against Mali. Experienced players including Wahbi Khazri and Youssef Msakni will need to shore up their defence to overcome the challenge posed by Bafana Bafana.
Both teams will be going all out for the crucial three points in what is expected to be a tight game. While South Africa’s recent form and attacking firepower is slightly better, Tunisia’s desire for a win could be the deciding factor. A draw would not be a surprise, but a close win for both teams is more likely.
