Botswana claims thrilling win to keep hopes alive
Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse came off the bench to claim a dramatic stoppage-time winner for Botswana as it beat Tunisia 2-1 at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations to keep dreams of qualifying for the quarter-finals alive.
Ontlametse showed incredible composure in the 95th minute, controlling a cross on to her chest superbly before smashing home a half-volley to claim a stunning victory.
Tunisia started the brighter of the two sides, who were playing for third place in Group B behind Nigeria and Algeria, which were already assured of their places in the last eight.
Yesmin Khanchouch gave Tunisia the lead on 12 minutes, finishing a sweeping team move with a fine finish from inside the box.
Botswana was restriced to efforts from long range and went into the break behind, and they continued to take pot shots from distance in the second half.
But on 66 minutes, a hopeful ball over the top of Tunisia's defence saw Myriam Bayahia tie herself in knots under pressure from Botswana's Lesego Radiakanyo, who snuck a shot into the far right-hand side of the goal to level the scores.
Obonetse Oratile Rathari forced Salima Jobrani into a good save in the 89th minute with another long-range drive as the Mares pushed for a winner.
Rathari then thought she'd assisted one after she provided Ontlametse with a cross that she put home inside the six-yard box, but celebrations were cut short when it was shown Rathari had been marginally offside in the build-up.
That didn't deter Botswana forging ahead once again, and deep into added-time, Ontlametse did get her winner, expertly collecting Refilwe Tholakele's right-wing cross before blasting home as her team spilled on to the pitch in wild scenes of celebration.
Botswana will have to wait until the group stage is concluded on Tuesday (AEST) to know if it has qualified as one of the best third-placed teams, while Tunisia's journey at the tournament has ended.
