CAF u23 AFCON
Result: Tunisia 0-2 Senegal
Date: 01 December 2015
Venue: Leopold Stadium, Dakar
A goal in each half secured a knockout phase spot for Senegal in a tightly contested 2-0 victory against Tunisia in the CAF U23 AFCON tournament.
The host nation showed their intent from the onset and it was not long before Famara Diedhiou sent the crowd into rapture after seeing the opposing goalkeeper off his line, before the striker produced a wondrous strike to give Senegal a 1-0 advantage after eight minutes of play.
The Tunisians upped the tempo in an effort to get one back and level matters, but a controversial challenge from a Senegalese defender in the 14th minute ensured that Senegal maintained the lead.
Both sides began to gather some momentum as the match produced some end-to-end play, but a 33rd minute super strike from outside the box almost extended Senegal's lead as the shot went agonizingly wide.
The last few minutes of the half seemed more of a physical battle as the challenges were flying all over the place, before Senegal had a lovely free-kick effort uncomfortably saved by the 'keeper, with the resulting corner almost producing a goal as well after a goalmouth scramble. The final shot from Keita went just wide.
The teams headed into the break with Senegal leading 1-0.
Tunisia were the brighter starters in the second half and had a gorgeous opportunity in the 47th minute, but Jouini was controversially booked for diving in the box after a lovely attack.
Despite the dominane from Tunisia, it was the hosts Senegal who produced a troubling shot from outside the box in the 56th minute, which the 'keeper managed to put a finger to, shifting it for a corner.
Two minutes later, goalkeeper Ben Hassen produced a blinder of a save to deny a bullet header from point blank range, keeping Tunisia in the contest.
The hosts began to gain momentum as the half progressed, and in the 60th minute a free header from Keita narrowly missed the target, with the Tunisian shot-stopper well beaten.
Senegal continued to dominate the closing exchanges with a couple of good opportunities here and there, and the home nation were finally rewarded for their dominance in the 85th mnute when substitute Habib managed to score a goal from close-range, sealing the 2-0 victory for them and a spot in the knock-out stages.
