Tunisia Draws Uganda 1-1 in 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier

Chaabani Era Begins With Home Draw in Rades

The Tunisia national team is pursuing a nineteenth appearance in the continental tournament, having previously featured in 18 of the 35 past editions. For his managerial debut, Chaabani deployed a mix of veteran leadership and emerging talent. The starting lineup welcomed back experienced midfielders Ferjani Sassi and Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane—both of whom missed out on Tunisia’s squad for the 2026 World Cup—alongside midfielder Ismaël Gharbi.

Tunisia also handed opportunities to younger prospects, including Adam Arous, Khalil Ayari, and Rayan Houri. The tactical approach paid immediate dividends early in the match. It took the hosts just 12 minutes to break the deadlock when Arous unleashed a powerful shot, capitalizing on a precise cross from Ayari.

The hosts pressed to extend their advantage before halftime. Ben Romdhane came close in the 24th minute with a header that Uganda goalkeeper Denis Onyango blocked. Moments later, the woodwork denied Ismaël Gharbi a second goal after a direct free kick in the 31st minute.

Uganda Equalizes Against the Run of Play

Despite Tunisia controlling much of the tempo through the opening hour, Uganda capitalized on a rare opportunity in the second half. Rogers Muto leveled the score against the run of play in the 67th minute, firing a strong shot into the left corner of Aymen Dahmen’s net following an assist from Nathan Asiimwe.

Tunisia pushed numbers forward in search of a late winner, but ran into a disciplined and compact Ugandan defensive block. The match ended deadlocked at 1-1, leaving both sides with a single point in the Group H standings.

Group H and Wider Continental Results

In the other Group H fixture, Libya staged a dramatic comeback to snatch a 2-2 draw at home against Botswana. The visitors established a comfortable lead before halftime through a brace from Tomisang Orebonye, who scored in the 30th and 42nd minutes. Libya mounted a late rally in front of home supporters, as Marwan Al-Hbeishi struck in the 87th minute before Ezz al-Din Al-Mariami scored the equalizer six minutes into stoppage time.

Action across other groups produced decisive outcomes. In Group F, Mauritania defeated the Central African Republic 3-1, fueled by goals from Aboubakar Kouta via a penalty in the 32nd minute, Daouda Camara in the 69th minute, and Mamadou Dialou in the 89th minute. Godwin Koyalipou scored the lone response for the visitors, who played the final 16 minutes with ten men following Julian Kouadio’s red card for a second yellow.

In Group C, French coach Hervé Renard bested Portuguese tactician Carlos Queiroz as Côte d’Ivoire opened his second stint in charge with a 2-0 victory over Ghana. Malick Yalcouyé opened the scoring in the 44th minute off an assist from Franck Kessié, who then converted a penalty in the 58th minute to secure the result.

Group G saw Cameroon defeat Comoros 3-1 behind goals from David Nyengue, Bryan Mbeumo, and Dani Namaso, while Warmid Omri netted for Comoros. In the same group, Namibia edged Congo 1-0 courtesy of a 47th-minute strike by Bethuel Muzeu. Meanwhile, in Group E, the Democratic Republic of the Congo defeated Equatorial Guinea 2-0 through goals from Chancel Mbemba and Yoane Wissa, and Zimbabwe overcame Sierra Leone 3-2.