Tunisia progress, Algeria out of African Nations' Cup

Tunisia kept up an impressive recent record of African Nations Cup quarter-final appearances by thumping Zimbabwe 4-2 with a flurry of first-half goals to come second in Group B on Monday.

Naim Sliti, Youssef Msakni, Yassine Khenessi and Wahbi Khazri, with a penalty, wrapped up the win before the break to send Tunisia through with six points, a point behind Senegal.

The Tunisians now stay in the Gabonese capital to meet Burkina Faso on Saturday in the first of the quarter-finals.

Algeria finished third with two points and went out without winning a game after drawing 2-2 with a much-changed Senegal side in Franceville. Zimbabwe ended bottom with one point.

🌍 GROUP B STANDINGS
Senegal🇸🇳 claimed top spot, while Tunisia🇹🇳 finished runners-up. Algeria🇩🇿 and Zimbabwe🇿🇼 bow out of #CAN2017🌍⚽️🏆 pic.twitter.com/k6qIi3uuLi

— FIFA (@FIFAcom) January 23, 2017

It is the fifth time in the last seven tournaments that Tunisia have got past the first round. The north Africans are making a 13th successive tournament appearance.

They needed just a draw to ensure progress but were in no mood to sit back and scored after 10 minutes. A corner was cleared but the ball fell perfectly for the on-rushing Sliti to blast home from outside the penalty area.

Tunisia’s lead was doubled 12 minutes later as playmaker Msakni showed his full array of skills before burying the ball.

It was 3-0 in the 36th as Khenessi slipped behind the Zimbabwe defence and slid the ball home.

Knowledge Musona pulled a goal back when he cleverly cut past two defenders before scoring in after 42 minutes.

Fans watch the big game in Tunis

TUNIS, TUNISIA – JANUARY 23: Tunisian people watch the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Zimbabwe and Tunisia, in Tunis, Tunisia on January 23, 2017. ( Amine Landoulsi – Anadolu Agency )

TUNIS, TUNISIA – JANUARY 23: Tunisian people watch the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Zimbabwe and Tunisia, in Tunis, Tunisia on January 23, 2017. ( Amine Landoulsi – Anadolu Agency )

TUNIS, TUNISIA – JANUARY 23: Tunisian people watch the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Zimbabwe and Tunisia, in Tunis, Tunisia on January 23, 2017. ( Amine Landoulsi – Anadolu Agency )

TUNIS, TUNISIA – JANUARY 23: Tunisian people watch the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Zimbabwe and Tunisia, in Tunis, Tunisia on January 23, 2017. ( Amine Landoulsi – Anadolu Agency )

TUNIS, TUNISIA – JANUARY 23: Tunisian people watch the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Zimbabwe and Tunisia, in Tunis, Tunisia on January 23, 2017. ( Amine Landoulsi – Anadolu Agency )

TUNIS, TUNISIA – JANUARY 23: Tunisian people watch the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Zimbabwe and Tunisia, in Tunis, Tunisia on January 23, 2017. ( Amine Landoulsi – Anadolu Agency )

TUNIS, TUNISIA – JANUARY 23: Tunisian people watch the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Zimbabwe and Tunisia, in Tunis, Tunisia on January 23, 2017. ( Amine Landoulsi – Anadolu Agency )

TUNIS, TUNISIA – JANUARY 23: Tunisian people watch the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Zimbabwe and Tunisia, in Tunis, Tunisia on January 23, 2017. ( Amine Landoulsi – Anadolu Agency )

TUNIS, TUNISIA – JANUARY 23: Tunisian people watch the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Zimbabwe and Tunisia, in Tunis, Tunisia on January 23, 2017. ( Amine Landoulsi – Anadolu Agency )

But any glimmer of hope was snuffed out as Zimbabwe’s Costa Nhamoinesu gave away a penalty when he pulled Sliti back.

Ivorian referee Denis Dembele at first turned down Tunisian appeals but changed his mind on the advice of his linesman.

Sunderland winger Khazri converted the spot kick to make it 4-1 just before the break.

After the break, Zimbabwe brought on striker Tendai Ndoro and he took just 13 minutes to make his mark, finishing a swift passing move to score again reduce the deficit.

Khnessi then hit the post with a diving header and Msakni had a point-blank header saved by Zimbabwe’s Tatenda Mkuruva as Tunisia were prevented from increasing their tally.

Shots from the game

LIBREVILLE, GABON – JANUARY 23: Onismor Bhasera of Zimbabwe in action during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Zimbabwe and Tunisia at the l’Amitié stadium in Libreville, Gabon on January 23, 2017. ( Olivier Ebanga – Anadolu Agency )

LIBREVILLE, GABON – JANUARY 23: Hamdi Nagguez (R) of Tunisia in action against Tendai Ndoro (L) of Zimbabwe during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Zimbabwe and Tunisia at the l’Amitié stadium in Libreville, Gabon on January 23, 2017. ( Olivier Ebanga – Anadolu Agency )

LIBREVILLE, GABON – JANUARY 23: Kuda Mahachi of Zimbabwe in action during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Zimbabwe and Tunisia at the l’Amitié stadium in Libreville, Gabon on January 23, 2017. ( Olivier Ebanga – Anadolu Agency )

LIBREVILLE, GABON – JANUARY 23: Hamdi Nagguez (L) of Tunisia in action against Kuda Mahachi (R) of Zimbabwe during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Zimbabwe and Tunisia at the l’Amitié stadium in Libreville, Gabon on January 23, 2017. ( Olivier Ebanga – Anadolu Agency )

LIBREVILLE, GABON – JANUARY 23: Wahbi Khazri of Tunisia celebrates after scoring a goal during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Zimbabwe and Tunisia at the l’Amitié stadium in Libreville, Gabon on January 23, 2017. ( Olivier Ebanga – Anadolu Agency )

LIBREVILLE, GABON – JANUARY 23: Football players of Zimbabwe talk with the referee of the match after his penalty decision during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Zimbabwe and Tunisia at the l’Amitié stadium in Libreville, Gabon on January 23, 2017. ( Olivier Ebanga – Anadolu Agency )

LIBREVILLE, GABON – JANUARY 23: Rami Jridi of Tunisia injured during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Zimbabwe and Tunisia at the l’Amitié stadium in Libreville, Gabon on January 23, 2017. ( Olivier Ebanga – Anadolu Agency )

LIBREVILLE, GABON – JANUARY 23: Ali Maâloul (R) of Tunisia in action during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Zimbabwe and Tunisia at the l’Amitié stadium in Libreville, Gabon on January 23, 2017. ( Olivier Ebanga – Anadolu Agency )

LIBREVILLE, GABON – JANUARY 23: Tatenda Mkuruva of Zimbabwe in action during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Zimbabwe and Tunisia at the l’Amitié stadium in Libreville, Gabon on January 23, 2017. ( Olivier Ebanga – Anadolu Agency )

LIBREVILLE, GABON – JANUARY 23: Hamdi Nagguez (L) of Tunisia in action against Khama Billiat (R) of Zimbabwe during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Zimbabwe and Tunisia at the l’Amitié stadium in Libreville, Gabon on January 23, 2017. ( Olivier Ebanga – Anadolu Agency )

LIBREVILLE, GABON – JANUARY 23: Head Coach of Tunisia Henryk Kasperczak is seen during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Zimbabwe and Tunisia at the l’Amitié stadium in Libreville, Gabon on January 23, 2017. ( Olivier Ebanga – Anadolu Agency )

LIBREVILLE, GABON – JANUARY 23: Head Coach of Zimbabwe Callisto Pasuwa is seen during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Zimbabwe and Tunisia at the l’Amitié stadium in Libreville, Gabon on January 23, 2017. ( Olivier Ebanga – Anadolu Agency )

LIBREVILLE, GABON – JANUARY 23: Football players of Tunisia celebrate at the end of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Zimbabwe and Tunisia at the l’Amitié stadium in Libreville, Gabon on January 23, 2017. ( Olivier Ebanga – Anadolu Agency )

LIBREVILLE, GABON – JANUARY 23: Hamdi Nagguez (L) of Tunisia in action during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Zimbabwe and Tunisia at the l’Amitié stadium in Libreville, Gabon on January 23, 2017. ( Olivier Ebanga – Anadolu Agency )

LIBREVILLE, GABON – JANUARY 23: Ali Maâloul (L) of Tunisia in action during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Zimbabwe and Tunisia at the l’Amitié stadium in Libreville, Gabon on January 23, 2017. ( Olivier Ebanga – Anadolu Agency )

LIBREVILLE, GABON – JANUARY 23: Ali Maâloul (L) of Tunisia in action during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Zimbabwe and Tunisia at the l’Amitié stadium in Libreville, Gabon on January 23, 2017. ( Olivier Ebanga – Anadolu Agency )

LIBREVILLE, GABON – JANUARY 23: Ferjani Sassi (L) of Tunisia in action during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Zimbabwe and Tunisia at the l’Amitié stadium in Libreville, Gabon on January 23, 2017. ( Olivier Ebanga – Anadolu Agency )

LIBREVILLE, GABON – JANUARY 23: Syam Ben Youssef (L) of Tunisia in action during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Zimbabwe and Tunisia at the l’Amitié stadium in Libreville, Gabon on January 23, 2017. ( Olivier Ebanga – Anadolu Agency )

LIBREVILLE, GABON – JANUARY 23: Mohamed Amin Ben Amor (R) of Tunisia in action during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Zimbabwe and Tunisia at the l’Amitié stadium in Libreville, Gabon on January 23, 2017. ( Olivier Ebanga – Anadolu Agency )

LIBREVILLE, GABON – JANUARY 23: Mohamed Amin Ben Amor (R) of Tunisia in action during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Zimbabwe and Tunisia at the l’Amitié stadium in Libreville, Gabon on January 23, 2017. ( Olivier Ebanga – Anadolu Agency )

LIBREVILLE, GABON – JANUARY 23: Hamdi Nagguez (R) of Tunisia in action against Tendai Ndoro (L) of Zimbabwe during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Zimbabwe and Tunisia at the l’Amitié stadium in Libreville, Gabon on January 23, 2017. ( Olivier Ebanga – Anadolu Agency )

LIBREVILLE, GABON – JANUARY 23: Khama Billiat (R) of Zimbabwe in action during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Zimbabwe and Tunisia at the l’Amitié stadium in Libreville, Gabon on January 23, 2017. ( Olivier Ebanga – Anadolu Agency )

Gabon’nun ev sahipliği yaptığı 2017 Afrika Uluslar Kupası’nda B Grubu’ndan Zimbabve ile Tunus milli takımları, başkent Libreville’deki De l’Amitie Stadyumu’nda karşı karşıya geldi. Bir pozisyonda Tunus milli takımı oyuncusu Hamdi Nagguez (solda), rakibi Zimbabve milli takımı oyuncusu Khama Billiat (sağda) ile mücadele etti. ( Olivier Ebanga – Anadolu Agency )

LIBREVILLE, GABON – JANUARY 23: Hamdi Nagguez (L) of Tunisia in action against Onismor Bhasera (R) of Zimbabwe during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Zimbabwe and Tunisia at the l’Amitié stadium in Libreville, Gabon on January 23, 2017. ( Olivier Ebanga – Anadolu Agency )

LIBREVILLE, GABON – JANUARY 23: Hamdi Nagguez (L) of Tunisia in action against Khama Billiat (R) of Zimbabwe during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Zimbabwe and Tunisia at the l’Amitié stadium in Libreville, Gabon on January 23, 2017. ( Olivier Ebanga – Anadolu Agency )

LIBREVILLE, GABON – JANUARY 23: Head Coach of Zimbabwe Callisto Pasuwa is seen during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Zimbabwe and Tunisia at the l’Amitié stadium in Libreville, Gabon on January 23, 2017. ( Olivier Ebanga – Anadolu Agency )

Football players of Tunisia in Libreville, Gabon on 23 January 2017 [Olivier Ebanga/Anadolu Agency]