Nato�s hand unlocks valiant Zebras
Mqondisi Dube | Tuesday September 9, 2014 15:05
The Zebras fought valiantly for long periods and even took the lead against the run of play in the 43rd minute through captain, Joel Mogorosi.
But Peter Butler’s first AFCON qualifiers group stage encounter was to end in pain after the hosts scored twice in a space of 15 minutes.
On the balance of play, Tunisia were full value for the three points after starting like a house on fire and pinning the Zebras in their own half.
There was the ever-present danger of a counter-attack and the Zebras duly exploited gaps with the first half whistle only two minutes away.
A Tunisian attack broke down and returning midfielder, Mogogi Gabonamong held up the ball nicely, before rolling it to Mogorosi to thump home. It raised hopes of the repeat shock result in 2010 when the Zebras won 1-0 in Tunis.
The Zebras fought bravely in the second half but some suspect refereeing did not help their cause. The match official’s calls all seemed to go against the Zebras, but there were no complaints about the two that led to the goal.
A foul was committed outside the box and Tunisia’s Wahbi Khazri rifled home, leaving Kabelo Dambe rooted to the spot. Dambe did not appear his usual assured self and he was beaten for the second time from the spot, this time from Yassine Chikhaoui’s effort.
Nato who had played well, was guilty of handing the home side the advantage when he palmed a high ball inside the box and the referee had no option but to point to the spot.
The Zebras arrived home yesterday and will immediately get to work as they prepare for another crunch match against Senegal tomorrow night. Senegal got their campaign off to a great start after dismissing Egypt 2-0 in Dakar.
Tunisia are away in Egypt as the campaign for slots in Morocco 2015 heat up.
The top two teams from each group and the third best placed side progress to the finals to be played between January 17 and February 8, 2015.