Tunisia 2-0 Togo: Carthage Eagles qualify at the death

Posted Sunday, October 09, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

Two goals from Walid Hichri and Saber Khelifa on either side of halftime combined with Chad’s last-minute 2-2 draw against Malawi were just enough for Tunisia to overtake the Flames and nab a place at the 2012 African Cup of Nations.

The Tunisians began by applying early pressure that paid off in minute 17 when Hichri got on the end of a Wissem Ben Yahia corner that the Togolese defense failed to clear. The north Africans looked to be ready to add more but made some foolish defensive mistakes that were almost capitalized on by the visitors.

The game was slow paced and lacked rhythm as the Tunisians struggled to mount sustained attacks while the Togolese couldn’t find a breakthrough against the home team’s solid backline.

In the second half Tunisia had a chance to double its lead but Khelifa fluffed the opportunity. Minutes later, Tunisian goalkeeper Aymen Mathlouthi came up with a big save when he successfully parried Alaixys Romao’s shot to keep his team on top.

Togo was reduced to ten men 15 minutes before the end of full time when Kodjo Dadzie received a red for a two footed tackle on Khelifa. The Tunisians looked much more comfortable thereafter and added a second after great work from Khalil Chammam on the left wing. The Esperance left-back found the ever-present Khelifa at the back post with his cross and the Evian striker made no mistake with a point blank range header.

The ensuing minutes were stressful for the home team and its fans as they awaited good news from N’Djamena which finally came with the knowledge that Club Africain forward Ezechiel Ndouassel had completed his double and equalized for the Sao to send Malawi crashing out at the final hurdle.

It is perhaps a harsh result for the Flames but a huge relief for coach Sam Trabelsi who will now have an opportunity to add an African Cup trophy to his existing African Championship of Nations winning credentials.