TUNISIA, SENEGAL IN THRILLING 2-2 DRAW (1b)

Story: Zakaria Alhassan, Tamale

FOOTBALL fans in Tamale were treated to 90 minutes of rare individual brilliance and team spirit displayed by the Taranga Lions of Senegal and the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia, culminating in a pulsating 2-2 drawn game in their first match in this year’s MTN Africa Cup of Nations tournament at the plush Tamale Sports Stadium.
Both teams began the match on a cautious note but the Tunisians were more purposeful and in the ninth minute Jemaa Issam of FC Caen of France slotted in a beautiful pass from a counter attack that beat goalkeeper Tony Sylva of Senegal.
The Senegalese captain, El Hadji Diouf, then rallied his men to counter attack but their efforts were thwarted by the resilient Tunisian defence that was marshalled around their captain, Jaidi Radhi.
Incessant forays into the half of the Carthage Eagles by the Senegalese, however, yielded the needed equaliser in the 45th minute when Moustapha Bayal set the stadium agog with his 25-yard bullet of a shot into the yawning net of the Tunisians.
Both teams came back from recess more vitalised but the Senegalese looked more determined. They, however, squandered a number of glorious chances, especially in the 48 minute when Diomansy Kamara failed to direct a goal- bound shot into the net.
Senegal was again denied a goal when Diouf’s effort was blocked by the Tunisian keeper, Hamdi Kasraoui, in the 51st minute.
When it became apparent that the Tunisians were tired, they resorted to diving in the 18-yard box of the Lions to win the sympathy of Japanese referee Nichimura Yuichi for a penalty. But the practice rather earned their danger men, Dos Santos and Traoui Mejdi, yellow cards in the 50th and 56th minutes.
The Senegalese, who were cheered on by their vociferous fans, pressed hard for another goal and they were eventually rewarded in the 65th minute when the indefatigable Diomansy Kamara capitalised on a goal mouth melee.
That was after coach Henry Kasperczak of Senegal had pulled out Frederic Mendy in the 60th minute for enterprising Henry Camara to bring more bite upfront.
The substitution of Ousmane Ndoye for Papa Bouba Diop made the Senegalese more potent in attack, as Diouf failed to glitter. And in the 68th minute an incursion by the West Ham player, Camara, was foiled by the resolute Tunisian defence.
Realising that their pride was at stake, the Carthage Eagles became more aggressive, stringing their passes together to the admiration of the excited spectators.
However, Kamel Zaiem was shown the yellow card for a foul in the 70th minute and in the 80th minute Ben Dhifallah came in for Chaker Zouaghi.
It was a matter of course when, in the 81st minute, Mejdi Traoui, who plays for Etoile Sahel of Tunisia, hit a long shot to beat keeper Sylva again, to the consternation of the Senegalese and the admiration of the spectators.
A glancing header by Camara that nearly gave the Senegalese the winning goal in the 85th minute brushed over the wood work.
Mikari Yassin then came to take over from Issam Jemaa, who was visibly tired, in the 85th minute, while Babacar Mbaye of Senegal also came in for Mamadou Niang in the 88th minute. Diomansy Kamara was shown the yellow card in the dying minutes of the interesting game.