South Africa into knockout stage as Tunisia bows out
South Africa qualified for the Round of 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations, sending Tunisia out in the process after thei sides drew 0-0 as Group F was concluded.
Bafana Bafana qualified for the knockout stage as the second placed team, but only on goal difference as it had the same points, four, as third-placed Namibia, Mali winning a tight group with its five points.
Tunisia came into the game knowing only a win would be enough to lift it from the bottom of the group, but it created few chances in searing heat, which was the case for both sides.
Mali and Namibia also played out a goalless draw in their match, enough for Namibia to also qualify for the first time as one of the four best third-placed teams.
Tunisia is the third-ranked African side at the tournament behind FIFA World Cup semi-finalisy Morocco and defending AFCON champion Senegal.
But its shock loss to Namibia put it on the back foot from the outset, and a draw with Mali left it in a hole too deep to climb out of.
Tunisia substitute Haythem Jouini headed over from a great position late on as the 2004 champion failed to secure the win it required to keep its campaign alive.
After a cagey start, pressure from Tunisia saw Ellyes Skhiri shoot too high and Elias Achouri put a header wide.
South Africa responded with Evidence Makgopa heading off target and Thapelo Morena unleashing a 33rd-minute strike that just missed the top corner.
Mothobi Mvala and Percy Tau produced further unsuccessful efforts for the Bafana Bafana towards the end of the first half.
Neither side was able to fashion much in the way of attack after the break until a flurry of attempts from South Africa that started with a Sphephelo Sithole drive that was parried by Bechir Ben Said with just under 15 minutes of normal time remaining.
Subsequent shots from Teboho Mokoena and Tau went wide before Ben Said kept out Makgopa’s header.
As Tunisia made a late push to save itself, Jouini squandered a great chance in the 89th minute as he headed over from fellow substitute Sayfallah Ltaief’s cross.
Another header, from skipper Yassine Meriah, then had the same outcome in stoppage-time as the Eagles of Carthage’s hopes of progress ended.
