Gambia Vs Tunisia

The second round of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers is set to unfold as Gambia and Tunisia face off at Stade Ben Ahmed El Abdi in Morocco on Sunday afternoon. Both teams will be keen to secure a result in this match, as Gambia aim to solidify their place in the top half of Group A, while Tunisia seek to extend their lead at the top of the table after an opening win. This encounter holds significant implications for both teams' ambitions of securing a spot in the main draw of the prestigious tournament.

Current Standings and Key Context

Gambia currently sit in second place in Group A with one point, trailing behind Tunisia, who lead the group after a successful start to their campaign. Tunisia opened their AFCON qualifiers with a hard-fought victory over Madagascar, securing a crucial three points in their pursuit of qualification. Gambia, on the other hand, began their campaign with a 1-1 draw against the Comoros, a result that left them needing to earn points against stronger opponents like Tunisia to maintain their hopes of advancing.

The Scorpions, as Gambia’s national football team is known, are looking to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations for the third consecutive time, building on their recent successes in the competition. In the 2021-22 AFCON edition, Gambia made an impressive run to the quarter-finals, signaling their growing stature in African football. However, in the most recent edition held in the Ivory Coast earlier this year, they suffered a setback, exiting in the group stage. This inconsistency highlights the challenges they face, but also their potential to compete at the highest level.

Tunisia, known as the Carthage Eagles, enter this match on the back of a string of solid performances in both AFCON and World Cup qualifiers. However, they too are seeking redemption after a disappointing showing in the last Africa Cup of Nations, where they failed to win a single game and were eliminated at the group stage. Under new leadership and with a renewed focus, Tunisia aim to make a statement in these qualifiers, starting with their victory over Madagascar and hoping to build on that momentum against Gambia.

Gambia's Recent Performances and Ambitions

Gambia began their 2025 AFCON qualification campaign with a 1-1 draw against the Comoros, a match in which they were left ruing missed opportunities. Despite dominating possession with 67% of the ball and recording 13 shots at goal, they were only able to secure a point. The Scorpions fell behind early in the game when Youssouf M'Changama opened the scoring for the Comoros in the 34th minute. However, Gambia responded swiftly, with star forward Musa Barrow finding the back of the net just eight minutes later, equalizing on the stroke of halftime.

Musa Barrow’s goal was a critical moment in the match, but head coach Johnny McKinstry will likely feel disappointed that his side could not capitalize on their dominance to secure a win. The Northern Irish manager has had a mixed start to his tenure with Gambia, with one win, one draw, and one loss in his first three matches in charge. While the team has shown attacking promise, particularly with Barrow leading the line, their inability to score more than one goal in the draw against the Comoros will be a concern as they prepare to face a defensively solid Tunisia side.

McKinstry will be looking for a more clinical performance from his players against Tunisia, particularly in front of goal. The team’s dominance in possession and shot count against the Comoros indicates that they have the ability to control matches, but turning that control into victories will be the key to their success in the qualification campaign. Gambia’s recent results show potential, but they will need to improve in several areas, including defensive organization and goal-scoring efficiency, if they hope to overcome Tunisia and advance to the next stage of the tournament.

Historically, Gambia have held their own against Tunisia, having won both of their previous encounters, including a memorable victory at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations. This record will provide the Scorpions with some confidence going into Sunday’s match, despite being ranked 132nd in the world, 34 places behind Tunisia in the FIFA rankings. Gambia’s ability to rise to the occasion in high-pressure matches has been a hallmark of their recent performances, and they will need to summon that same resilience and determination against a well-organized Tunisian team.

Tunisia’s Quest for Redemption

For Tunisia, the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers represent an opportunity to make amends for their disappointing performance in the previous edition of the tournament. Earlier this year, the Carthage Eagles were eliminated from the group stage without registering a single victory, a result that sent shockwaves through Tunisian football. As one of the traditional powerhouses of African football, Tunisia’s early exit was seen as a major failure, and the team is now under pressure to deliver in these qualifiers and restore their reputation on the continental stage.

Since their AFCON disappointment, Tunisia have undergone a period of transition, with new head coach Faouzi Benzarti taking the reins. Under Benzarti’s guidance, Tunisia have shown signs of improvement, particularly in defense. In their five matches since the Africa Cup of Nations, Tunisia have kept an impressive six consecutive clean sheets, a statistic that underscores their defensive solidity. This run of clean sheets includes goalless draws in friendlies against Croatia and New Zealand in March, as well as a 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea and a 0-0 draw with Namibia in their World Cup qualifiers in June.

Tunisia’s strong defensive performances have been a key feature of their recent games, and they carried this form into their opening AFCON qualifier against Madagascar. The Carthage Eagles dominated possession, controlling 65% of the ball and registering 17 shots at goal compared to Madagascar’s seven. Despite their dominance, Tunisia struggled to break down Madagascar’s defense and were only able to secure victory through a dramatic stoppage-time goal from Ferjani Sassi in the eighth minute of added time.

While Benzarti will be pleased with the result, he will also be aware that his side must improve in front of goal if they are to achieve their ambitions in the qualifiers. Tunisia’s profligacy in front of goal has been a recurring theme in their recent matches, and they will need to find a way to convert their dominance into more goals as they face tougher opponents like Gambia. However, their defensive stability will be a major asset in this match, and they will be confident of keeping Gambia’s attack at bay, particularly given their recent run of clean sheets.

Key Players to Watch

For Gambia, all eyes will be on Musa Barrow, the team’s talismanic forward who has been in fine form for his country in recent matches. Barrow’s goal-scoring ability will be crucial to Gambia’s hopes of securing a result against Tunisia, and his performance in the draw against the Comoros highlights his importance to the team. Barrow is not only a clinical finisher but also a creative force, capable of unlocking defenses with his dribbling and passing. Tunisia will need to pay close attention to him if they hope to keep Gambia’s attack quiet.

In midfield, Gambia will rely on players like Sulayman Marreh and Ablie Jallow to control the tempo of the game and provide support to Barrow in attack. Marreh, in particular, will be tasked with breaking up Tunisia’s play and distributing the ball to Gambia’s forwards, while Jallow’s energy and movement will be key to creating chances in the final third.

For Tunisia, the experienced Ferjani Sassi will be a key figure in midfield. Sassi’s ability to dictate the pace of the game and his composure on the ball will be crucial to Tunisia’s hopes of controlling possession and breaking down Gambia’s defense. Sassi’s late goal against Madagascar was a reminder of his quality in clutch moments, and he will be looking to make a similar impact against Gambia.

In defense, Tunisia will be led by the experienced Dylan Bronn, who has been a cornerstone of their backline during their recent run of clean sheets. Bronn’s leadership and organization will be vital in ensuring that Tunisia maintain their defensive solidity, while goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen will be confident of adding to his clean sheet tally.

Tactical Battle

This match is likely to be a tactical battle between two teams with contrasting styles. Gambia, under McKinstry, have shown a preference for dominating possession and playing an attacking style of football, as evidenced by their 67% possession against the Comoros. However, they have also struggled to convert their possession into goals, and this will be a key area of focus for McKinstry as he prepares his side for the challenge of breaking down Tunisia’s well-organized defense.

Tunisia, on the other hand, have built their recent success on a solid defensive foundation, with Benzarti prioritizing clean sheets and defensive stability. However, they have struggled in front of goal, and this match will be an opportunity for Tunisia to address their attacking deficiencies. Benzarti may look to exploit Gambia’s vulnerabilities on the counterattack, using the pace of players like Youssef Msakni and Wahbi Khazri to stretch Gambia’s defense and create goal-scoring opportunities.

Final Thoughts

As Gambia and Tunisia prepare to face off in this crucial AFCON qualifier, both teams will be aware of the high stakes. For Gambia, a positive result would strengthen their chances of qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations for a third consecutive time and demonstrate their ability to compete against Africa’s top teams. For Tunisia, this match represents an opportunity to build on their opening victory and solidify their position at the top of Group A, while also addressing some of the attacking issues that have plagued them in recent matches.