Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying | Group Stage

Nov 18, 2024 at 7pm UK

Tunisiavs.Gambia

Match preview

Tunisia has secured its place at the 2025 AFCON after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Madagascar at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Thursday.

The Eagles of Carthage got off to a flying start with an early lead thanks to Hamza Rafia, but then Madagascar pegged them back with an own goal from goalkeeper Amanallah Memmiche. Sayfallah Ltaief then put Tunisia back in the lead, but Ibrahim Amada equalised once more for Madagascar, ending the first half 2-2.

The first half was so exciting that the second half couldn't live up to it. Things really picked up after Tunisia were reduced to ten men when Wajdi Kechrida was sent off for two bookable offences in the 89th minute. But then Ali Abdi stepped up in stoppage time to score a header that secured victory, sending the North Africans to AFCON 2025.

With 10 points after five matches, it's impossible for Tunisia to finish below second, but they'll be hoping to end the qualification campaign on a high when they take on Gambia in front of their home fans.

After last month's draw with Comoros, veteran manager Faouzi Benzarti, who had only been in charge of the side for four matches in his fourth stint with the national team, was fired.

Kais Yaakoubi, who got the win against Madagascar, will now be credited with getting Tunisia to the 2025 AFCON, but he'd like to finish at the top of the table with a win on Monday.

Gambia's hopes of making it to a third consecutive AFCON ended after losing 2-1 to Comoros at Stade Municipal de Berkane last Friday.

The Scorpions took the lead when Alassana Jatta scored, but it didn't last long. Rafiki Said equalised for Comoros just seven minutes later. With the game looking like it might end in a draw, the worst happened for Gambia when they conceded another goal in the 90th minute. That was the end of their AFCON dream.

Johnny McKinstry was brought in in May after Tom Saintfiet resigned after the team's group stage exit at the 2023 AFCON. Since then, he's only managed to win two out of seven matches, with one win in the World Cup qualifiers against Seychelles and another in the AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar. He'll be hoping to pick up a win over Tunisia on Monday to keep his job.

However, there's no stadium in Gambia that meets FIFA's standards, so McKinstry's team have had to play their home matches on foreign grounds. They haven't won any of their last five matches on the road, losing three and drawing two.

Recent Performance

Tunisia Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying form:WWLDW

Tunisia form (all competitions):DWWLDW

Gambia Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying form:DLDWL

Gambia form (all competitions):WDLDWL

Team News

Kechrida will be out of action on Monday after being sent off last time out, so Hamza Mathlouthi or Mahmoud Ghorbel will have to step up to the plate.

Given that qualification is already secured, interim boss Yaacoubi could make a number of changes to the side that won on Thursday.

Yankuba Minteh from Brighton & Hove Albion scored two goals in Gambia's AFCON qualifiers, but he only played as a substitute last time out. He might start on Monday.

We're expecting Jatta, who scored in the last game, to keep his place in the attacking line-up with Musa Barrow and Ali Sowe.

Possible starting lineup

Tunisia possible starting lineup:

Memmiche; Talbi, Meriah, Mathlouthi, Abdi; Laidouni, Skhiri, Mejbri, Mahmoud; Ltaief, Laayouni

Gambia possible starting lineup:

Jarju; Gaye, Gomez, Colley, Touray; Manneh, Adams; Jatta, Sowe, Minteh; Barrow