Impressive Cape Verde forced Tunisia to settle for a draw in their Africa Cup Of Nations Group B opener on Sunday.
Both countries were eying top spot of the group standings after Zambia and DR Congo settled for a draw in the first AFCON 2015 Group B encounter. This was only the second time Cape Verde had qualified for the Africa Cup Of Nations, and they started brightly in the first few minutes of the opening half. It did not take too long for Tunisia to get into their rhythm, as they took the lead through Manser after he received a pass from Ahmed Akiachi. Cape Verde wouldn’t sit back, however, and went on to get the equalizer from a spot kick calmly finished by Heldon.
Group B is now back to level as all the games in the group saw a one all draw.
Cape Verde, who happen to be underdogs in this group, would not lie down. Fernando Varela hit the post from a free kick after just one minute. Tunisia were all over the place in the first 10 minutes, but would soon see Akiachi’s headed effort force a save from Cape Verdean goalkeeper Vozinha. Cape Verde continued to pose a threat as Hamza Mathlouthi was called upon to make save at his near post, saving a shot from Kuca. Holden played Djaniny through and could only muster a shot straight at the goalkeeper.
Djaniny almost picked Kuca, who was unmarked in the centre, but the Cape Verdean overcooked his cross and another chance went astray. Holden was fouled on the edge of the Tunisian box. The resulting free kick played Kuca in, but he failed to make the most of it from close range.
Tunisia began the second half with lot more intensity but it was still Cape Verde who were dangerous on the counter attack. Tunisia had a goal disallowed after the referee saw an infringement on the goalkeeper of Cape Verde.
It was just a matter of time before Tunisia broke the deadlock. Nater found Akiachi with a pin-point through ball. Akiachi squared the ball into the path of Manser who made good, giving Tunisia the lead.
Cape Verde, however, were awarded a penalty 12 minutes from time when Heldon was fouled. Heldon kept his cool and tapped away the penalty to level the score for his side.
For Cape Verde it was a positive result, but it was nothing short of shocking for Tunisia.
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