Tunisia have edged closer to qualifying for the Nations Cup quarter-finals by defeating Niger 2-1 in the Group C clash.
The Eagles of Carthage kicked off the match on the front foot and their early attacking efforts were awarded with a goal from Youssef Msakni after just four minutes of play. Msakni stormed his way into the box to side-foot a shot into the bottom right-hand corner.
Tunisia's lead was short lived as Niger scored their first goal of the Nations Cup through a Willian Tonji Ngounou header following a stumble from goalkeeper Aymen Mathlouthi.
Niger began to dominate the first half, probing the Tunisian defence and creating a number of chances. The Mena came close to taking the lead through Moussa Maazou, but the frontman's shot just pulled wide.
Harouna Gabde's side had a penalty claim turned down minutes before the end of the first half when Karim Haggui appeared to put his arm across Maazou to bring him down in the box.
Tunisia tried to get back into the contest and almost got a shot on goal after Issam Jemaa latched onto a through ball from the middle of the park, which forced Niger goalkeeper Daouda Kassaly to come out of the penalty area and prevent the shot.
While Tunisia continued to push foward, Maazou terrorized the Eagles of Carthage defence trying to force a second-half breakthrough. However, in the final two minutes of the match Tunisia managed to get the winner through Jemaa.
Danielle Joynson
