In a thrilling comeback, Tunisia secured a vital 3-1 victory over Kenya in their crucial second Group B match at the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, held at the vibrant 30 June Air Defence Stadium in Cairo.
After suffering a narrow defeat against Nigeria in their opener, Tunisia entered this match with a fierce determination to avoid consecutive losses, and they delivered an emphatic response in the second half.
The encounter began with Kenya striking first, setting the stage with a stunning performance that ignited the crowd. Lawrence Ouma broke the deadlock in the 38th minute, finding the net with a close-range finish after a clever assist by Hassan Beja. Kenya’s dynamic first-half display saw them take an early lead, promising hope following their narrow 3-2 loss toMorocco.
As half-time approached, Tunisia found a lifeline through a penalty awarded after a VAR review revealed a handball by Baron Ochieng in the box. Farès Bousnina stepped up to convert the penalty with poise, leveling the score just before the break and shifting the momentum firmly in Tunisia’s favor.
The Carthage Eagles emerged from the interval like a whirlwind, displaying an intensity that left their opponents reeling. Coach’s tactical changes paid off as substitutes Omar Ben Ali and Alaeddine Derbali stepped onto the pitch, instantly making their mark. In the 70th minute, Ben Ali demonstrated remarkable composure, deftly finishing from close quarters after a relentless wave of Tunisian attacks pushed Kenya back.
As the match drew to a close, Derbali delivered a stunning blow five minutes from time, unleashing a spectacular long-range strike that soared into the top corner of the net, igniting the Tunisian fans into a frenzy. This decisive goal capped off a stellar second-half display and allowed Tunisia to break their four-match winless streak in the finals.
Meanwhile, Kenya, who had begun the match with vibrant attacking flair, gradually faded as the second half wore on, unable to muster the energy and aggression they had shown earlier. With this defeat, they remain without a point after two matches, facing a daunting challenge to advance to the knockout stages.
Tunisia’s triumph propels them to three points in Group B, creating heightened anticipation for the crucial clash between Nigeria and Morocco later that evening, as all four teams remain in contention for a spot in the next round.
