Tunisia brush Uganda aside in AFCON
by KickOff Reporter · KickOffTunisia opened their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 3-1 victory over Uganda on Tuesday evening.
The Carthage Eagles started key men in goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen, Montassar Talbi and Ferjani Sassi, while Richards Bay FC goalkeeper Salim Magoola started for the Cranes, who also featured long-serving duo Khalid Aucho and Jude Ssemugabi.
Magoola endured a torrid start and was beaten on ten minutes when Ellyes Skhiri came in unmarked at the back-post and nodded in a floated ball from a corner-kick.
Uganda came alive after a difficult opening and pushed forward, but their intensity and decision-making up top caused the Carthage Eagles no problems.
The Carthage Eagles remained in control and extended the lead five minutes before halftime through a side-footed finish by Elias Achouri following a cross by Ali Al-Abdi.
Uganda keenly looked to pull one back before the break with a curler from a tight angle by Steven Mukwala, but his effort deflected away.
Cranes boss Paul Put went to the bench ahead of the resumption and introduced Travis Mutyaba and Denis Omedi for Ssemugabi and Melvyn Lorenzen.
Tunisia remained on the front-foot and duly added a third goal in the 64th minute when a spill by Magoola fell perfectly for Achouri who needed no second invitation to fire home.
Although, the Cranes maintained a positive spell and were repeatedly on the attack in search of a lifeline but were contained by the 2004 champions.
The consolation goal did come two minutes into additional time after a defensive uncertainty granted a lurking Omedi a simple finish though the Carthage Eagles sealed victory.