The Tunisian national team, led by coach Mouine Chaâbani, faced a significant setback in their CAN 2027 qualification campaign with a 0-2 loss to Libya at the Stade Taïeb Mhiri in Sfax. The defeat left the team at the bottom of Group H with two points from three matches. Tunisia had drawn their first two matches against Uganda (1-1) and Botswana (2-2), and a win against Libya would have boosted their chances of advancing to the tournament.
The match against Libya was marked by missed opportunities for Tunisia, with Mohamed Dräger heading a chance over the bar in the 23rd minute and Ali Maâloul's direct free kick being saved in the 31st minute. Firas Chaouat's header was also cleared off the line by Osama Al Shremi in the 32nd minute. However, Libya took the lead in the 44th minute through a penalty converted by Ali Youssef after a foul by Ali Maâloul.
Despite changes made in the second half, including the introduction of Anis Ben Slimane and Mohamed Ali Ben Hammouda, Tunisia failed to gain momentum. Libya sealed the win with a second goal in the 64th minute, scored by Hamdou El Houni from a penalty. The Tunisian team's attempts to mount a comeback were unsuccessful, with Ismaël Gharbi and Sadok Kadida failing to score in the final minutes.
The loss leaves Tunisia in a difficult position in Group H, with Libya and Uganda tied for the top spot with four points each. However, Uganda has played two matches, while Libya has played three. The final match in the group will be between Uganda and Botswana on November 14, which could further alter the standings.
Tunisia's coach, Mouine Chaâbani, will need to regroup his team for the return match against Libya on November 17 to keep their qualification hopes alive. The team's starting lineup against Libya included Aymen Dahmène, Montassar Talbi, Alaa Ghram, Ali Maaloul, Mohamed Drager, Aissa Laidouni, Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, Ismaël Gharbi, Seifallah Letaief, Elyes Saad, and Firas Chaouat.
The defeat to Libya has raised concerns about Tunisia's ability to qualify for CAN 2027. With only two points from three matches, the team will need to secure a win against Libya in the return match to stay in contention. The team's fans will be eagerly awaiting a response from the players and coach to salvage their campaign.
The upcoming match against Libya on November 17 will be crucial for Tunisia's qualification hopes. A win will keep their chances alive, while another loss will likely eliminate them from contention. The team's performance in the return match will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.
Key points
- Tunisia's national team lost 0-2 to Libya, complicating their chances of qualifying for CAN 2027.
