Unbeaten Tunisia end Group H qualifiers in style

Tunisia earned their ninth win in 10 Caf Fifa World Cup qualifiers this week with a convincing 3-0 victory over Namibia at the Hammadi Agrebi Stadium in Radès on Monday afternoon.

There was little to separate the two sides during the first 10 minutes of the match, as a battle for the ball broke out in the middle of the park. However, as the dust settled, so did Tunisia, who began to probe en route to goal.

Tunisia were then awarded a penalty moments before the half-hour mark, after Hannibal Mejbri was fouled inside the 18-yard area. Ali Al-Abdi then stepped up to the spot and subsequently sent the goalkeeper in the opposite direction.

The Eagles of Carthage dominated for much of the encounter after opening the scoring and came close to doubling their advantage on a couple of occasions. With a goal to the good, the referee called time on the first half with Tunisia firmly in the driver’s seat.

Tunisia remained on the attack at the restart and immediately put their opponents under pressure. Then, while Hannibal won the penalty that earned Tunisia’s first goal, the attacking midfielder then doubled his nation’s advantage in the 55th minute.

With Namibia playing under the cosh, Tunisia strengthened their grip on the tie with another goal in the 64th minute, this time through Ferjani Sassi, who joined in on the fun.

Tunisia kicked into game management mode after their third effort, while Namibia battled to progress the ball upfield.

Tunisia managed to see out a 3-0 win on home soil with a 13-point lead over Namibia at the top of the pile in Group H.

Tunisia: (1) 3 (Al-Abdi 28’, Hannibal 55’, Sassi 64’)

Namibia: 0

Tunisia: Dahmen, Valery, Bronn, Talbi, Abdi, Laidouni (Skhiri 46’), Sassi (Neffati 81’), Tounekti (Sliti 46’), Mejbri, Saad (Gharbi 65’), Mastouri (Chaouat 72’)

Namibia: Ndisiro, Hanamub, K. Amutenya, Hambira (Shidolo 67’), Katua, Hotto (Kulula 86’), P. Amutenya, Petrus, Fredericks (Ndeunyema 63’), Muzeu (Karuuombe 63’), Shalulile (Hambongo 86’)