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2023 Africa Cup of Nations Group E

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Group E of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations took place from 16 to 24 January 2024.[1] The group consisted of Tunisia, Mali, South Africa, and Namibia.[2]

Mali and South Africa as the top two teams, along with Namibia as one of the four best third-placed teams, advanced to the round of 16.

Teams

[edit]
Draw position Team Zone Method of
qualification
Date of
qualification
Finals
appearance
Last
appearance
Previous best
performance
FIFA Rankings
October 2023[nb 1] December 2023
E1  Tunisia UNAF Group J winners 28 March 2023 21st 2021 Winners (2004) 29 28
E2  Mali WAFU Group G winners 18 June 2023 13th 2021 Runners-up (1972) 49 51
E3  South Africa COSAFA Group K runners-up 28 March 2023 11th 2019 Winners (1996) 65 66
E4  Namibia COSAFA Group E runners-up 12 September 2023 4th 2019 Group stage (1998, 2008, 2019) 114 115

Notes

  1. ^ The rankings of October 2023 were used for seeding for the final draw.

Standings

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Mali 3 1 2 0 3 1 +2 5 Advance to knockout stage
2  South Africa 3 1 1 1 4 2 +2 4[a]
3  Namibia 3 1 1 1 1 4 −3 4[a]
4  Tunisia 3 0 2 1 1 2 −1 2
Source: CAF
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
Notes:
  1. ^ a b Head-to-head points: South Africa 3, Namibia 0.

Matches

[edit]

All times are local, GMT (UTC±0).

Tunisia vs Namibia

[edit]

Tunisia and Namibia met for only the fourth time, and the first since 2007, while the previous two meetings came in 1997, as both nations were drawn into Group 2 of the 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification; Tunisia won the previous three meetings, including the first two, which proved key for Tunisia qualifying for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, which was at the time only its second successful qualification campaign.

Tunisia was the better team on paper but was forced to work hard to overcome consistent Namibian pressure, while Tunisia failed to make an impact despite their efforts. With two minutes of normal time remaining, the Namibians punished costly Tunisian misses. From Bethuel Muzeu's clinical delivery, Deon Hotto headed home past Bechir Ben Saïd to secure a shock win for Namibia.

The victory was Namibia's first at an Africa Cup of Nations and only the third time they had avoided defeat in a group-stage match. The previous two were a 1-1 draw in its group stage finale of the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations against Guinea on Jan. 28, 2008, in Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana, and a 3-3 draw in only its second match at an Africa Cup of Nations, which came on Feb. 12, 1998 in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, when Namibia led 2-0 and 3-1 against Angola, only to finish 3-3.

Tunisia 0–1 Namibia
Report
  • Hotto 88'
Tunisia
Namibia
GK 22 Bechir Ben Saïd
RB 21 Wajdi Kechrida
CB 3 Montassar Talbi
CB 4 Yassine Meriah
LB 12 Ali Maâloul
DM 17 Ellyes Skhiri
CM 5 Ali Ben Romdhane downward-facing red arrow 46'
CM 10 Anis Ben Slimane downward-facing red arrow 83'
RW 7 Youssef Msakni (c)
LW 27 Elias Achouri downward-facing red arrow 90+2'
CF 11 Taha Yassine Khenissi downward-facing red arrow 15'
Substitutions:
FW 9 Haythem Jouini upward-facing green arrow 15'
MF 14 Aïssa Laïdouni upward-facing green arrow 46'
FW 18 Sayfallah Ltaief upward-facing green arrow 83'
FW 19 Bassem Srarfi upward-facing green arrow 90+2'
Coach:
Jalel Kadri
GK 1 Lloyd Kazapua
RB 22 Ryan Nyambe
CB 21 Lubeni Haukongo
CB 12 Kennedy Amutenya
LB 4 Riaan Hanamub
DM 18 Aprocius Petrus
RM 11 Absalom Iimbondi
CM 19 Petrus Shitembi downward-facing red arrow 62'
CM 10 Prins Tjiueza downward-facing red arrow 73'
LM 7 Deon Hotto
CF 13 Peter Shalulile (c)
Substitutions:
MF 6 Ngero Katua upward-facing green arrow 62'
FW 9 Bethuel Muzeu upward-facing green arrow 73'
Coach:
Collin Benjamin

Man of the Match:
Deon Hotto (Namibia)

Assistant referees:
Gilbert Cheruiyot (Kenya)
Stephen Eleazar (Kenya)
Fourth official:
Tanguy Mebiame (Gabon)
Video assistant referee:
Daniel Nii Laryea (Ghana)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Imtehaz Heeralall (Mauritius)

Mali vs South Africa

[edit]

Mali and South Africa met for the fourth time, and this was their third meeting ever in the Africa Cup of Nations. The first came in the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations, when Mali, the tournament hosts, defeated South Africa 2–0 in a quarter-final. The nations also met in the quarter-finals of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, in which Mali advanced to the semi-finals via penalty kicks after a 1–1 draw in Durban, South Africa. South Africa missed three of four attempts during that penalty shoot-out, out victorious on penalties.

South Africa got a golden opportunity in the 16th minute when a foul by Sikou Niakaté on Evidence Makgopa gave South Africa a penalty, but Percy Tau missed. This proved to be costly for the South Africans, as Hamari Traoré scored a free kick in the 60th minute to give the West Africans the lead, before Lassine Sinayoko outmuscled Siyanda Xulu and struck home to secure Mali the win.

Mali 2–0 South Africa
Report
Mali
South Africa
GK 16 Djigui Diarra
RB 2 Hamari Traoré (c)
CB 5 Boubakar Kouyaté Yellow card 43'
CB 6 Sikou Niakaté Yellow card 18'
LB 17 Falaye Sacko
DM 23 Aliou Dieng downward-facing red arrow 78'
CM 10 Yves Bissouma downward-facing red arrow 58'
CM 4 Amadou Haidara downward-facing red arrow 87'
RW 25 Lassine Sinayoko downward-facing red arrow 86'
LW 26 Kamory Doumbia
CF 20 Sékou Koïta downward-facing red arrow 87'
Substitutions:
MF 11 Lassana Coulibaly Yellow card 90+4' upward-facing green arrow 58'
FW 19 Fousseni Diabaté upward-facing green arrow 78'
FW 9 Ibrahim Sissoko upward-facing green arrow 86'
FW 27 Dorgeles Nene upward-facing green arrow 87'
MF 24 Boubacar Traoré upward-facing green arrow 87'
Coach:
Éric Chelle
GK 1 Ronwen Williams (c)
RB 20 Khuliso Mudau
CB 5 Siyanda Xulu Yellow card 77'
CB 14 Mothobi Mvala Yellow card 58'
LB 6 Aubrey Modiba
RM 10 Percy Tau
CM 4 Teboho Mokoena
CM 13 Sphephelo Sithole
LM 12 Thapelo Maseko downward-facing red arrow 87'
CF 11 Themba Zwane downward-facing red arrow 74'
CF 9 Evidence Makgopa downward-facing red arrow 73'
Substitutions:
FW 17 Zakhele Lepasa upward-facing green arrow 73'
FW 21 Mihlali Mayambela upward-facing green arrow 74'
MF 23 Thapelo Morena upward-facing green arrow 87'
Coach:
Belgium Hugo Broos

Man of the Match:
Amadou Haidara (Mali)

Assistant referees:
Mahmoud Abo El Regal (Egypt)
Ahmed Hossam Eldin (Egypt)
Fourth official:
Amin Omar (Egypt)
Video assistant referee:
Lahlou Benbraham (Algeria)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Salima Mukansanga (Rwanda)

Tunisia vs Mali

[edit]

Tunisia and Mali met for the 15th time, and the fourth at an Africa Cup of Nations. In 2022, the nations met three times in three months. On Jan. 12, 2022, the nations met at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations to open Group F, and Ibrahima Kone's penalty kick in the 48th minute was the only goal of the match to give Mali the 1-0 victory. In March 2022, a spot at the 2022 FIFA World Cup was at stake when Tunisia and Mali met; the difference was an own goal from Mali's Moussa Sissako in the first leg in Bamako, as Tunisia advanced to its sixth FIFA World Cup.

In addition, Tunisia, the hosts of the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations, kicked off the tournament with a 2-0 defeat to Mali in Tunis. The nations also met in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, with the teams playing to a 1-1 draw in Suez, Egypt, on June 25, 2019. Finally, the nations also met in the quarterfinals of the 2016 African Nations Championship, with Mali winning 2-1 in Kigali, Rwanda.

The Tunisians fell behind from a clinical piece of play, as Kamory Doumbia delivered a brilliant pass before Lassine Sinayoko stroked into the far corner to give Mali the lead. Just ten minutes after Mali opened the scoring, Ali Abdi produced a run and a cut-back for Hamza Rafia to score the equalizer. However, this proved to be the final goal of the match.

Tunisia 1–1 Mali
Report
Tunisia
Mali
GK 22 Bechir Ben Saïd
RB 21 Wajdi Kechrida
CB 3 Montassar Talbi
CB 4 Yassine Meriah
LB 2 Ali Abdi
RM 27 Elias Achouri downward-facing red arrow 70'
CM 17 Ellyes Skhiri
CM 14 Aïssa Laïdouni Yellow card 90+8'
LM 10 Anis Ben Slimane downward-facing red arrow 88'
CF 7 Youssef Msakni (c) downward-facing red arrow 88'
CF 8 Hamza Rafia downward-facing red arrow 78'
Substitutions:
FW 18 Sayfallah Ltaief upward-facing green arrow 70'
FW 19 Bassem Srarfi upward-facing green arrow 78'
MF 8 Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane upward-facing green arrow 88'
FW 24 Seifeddine Jaziri Yellow card 90+4' upward-facing green arrow 88'
Coach:
Jalel Kadri
GK 16 Djigui Diarra
RB 2 Hamari Traoré (c)
CB 5 Boubakar Kouyaté
CB 6 Sikou Niakaté
LB 17 Falaye Sacko
DM 8 Diadie Samassékou downward-facing red arrow 83'
CM 11 Lassana Coulibaly
CM 4 Amadou Haidara downward-facing red arrow 69'
CF 25 Lassine Sinayoko downward-facing red arrow 83'
AM 26 Kamory Doumbia downward-facing red arrow 83'
CF 20 Sékou Koïta downward-facing red arrow 70'
Substitutions:
FW 27 Dorgeles Nene upward-facing green arrow 69'
FW 19 Fousseni Diabaté upward-facing green arrow 70'
FW 18 Youssoufou Niakaté upward-facing green arrow 83'
MF 10 Yves Bissouma upward-facing green arrow 83'
FW 9 Ibrahim Sissoko upward-facing green arrow 83'
Coach:
Éric Chelle

Man of the Match:
Kamory Doumbia (Mali)

South Africa vs Namibia

[edit]

South Africa and Namibia met for the 14th time, and this was their third meeting at the Africa Cup of Nations. The nations met in the group stage finale of the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations, with Benny McCarthy scoring four goals in 13 minutes in a 4–1 victory in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. The nations also met at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, in which Bongani Zungu scored the only goal of the match; a 1–0 victory would prove vital as South Africa was the fourth-best third-place team in the tournament. Namibia and South Africa have played seven times in the COSAFA Cup, and Namibia had last defeated South Africa in 1999, which came during this competition.

Namibia was the first to make opportunities, but following a handball by Deon Hotto in an attempt to block Thapelo Morena, a penalty was given, and Percy Tau scored. The situation became increasingly more favorable for the South Africans when Themba Zwane clinically finished from a pass from Morena in the 25th minute. Zwane scored a solo goal after a run down Namibia's right flank in the 40th minute. South Africa sealed their win in the 75th minute, when Teboho Mokoena gave a perfect long ball to Thapelo Maseko before Maseko finished over the hapless Lloyd Kazapua to make it four.

South Africa 4–0 Namibia
Report
South Africa
Namibia
GK 1 Ronwen Williams (c)
RB 20 Khuliso Mudau
CB 18 Grant Kekana
CB 14 Mothobi Mvala
LB 6 Aubrey Modiba
CM 4 Teboho Mokoena downward-facing red arrow 90+3'
CM 13 Sphephelo Sithole Yellow card 55' downward-facing red arrow 70'
RW 23 Thapelo Morena downward-facing red arrow 80'
LW 10 Percy Tau
CF 11 Themba Zwane downward-facing red arrow 70'
CF 9 Evidence Makgopa downward-facing red arrow 80'
Substitutions:
MF 15 Thabang Monare upward-facing green arrow 70'
MF 12 Thapelo Maseko upward-facing green arrow 70'
FW 21 Mihlali Mayambela upward-facing green arrow 80'
FW 17 Zakhele Lepasa upward-facing green arrow 80'
MF 8 Jayden Adams upward-facing green arrow 90+3'
Coach:
Belgium Hugo Broos
GK 1 Lloyd Kazapua
RB 22 Ryan Nyambe downward-facing red arrow 73'
CB 12 Kennedy Amutenya
CB 21 Lubeni Haukongo
LB 4 Riaan Hanamub
DM 18 Aprocius Petrus
RM 11 Absalom Iimbondi downward-facing red arrow 45'
CM 19 Petrus Shitembi downward-facing red arrow 45'
CM 10 Prins Tjiueza downward-facing red arrow 73'
LM 7 Deon Hotto
CF 13 Peter Shalulile (c)
Substitutions:
MF 6 Ngero Katua upward-facing green arrow 45'
FW 9 Bethuel Muzeu upward-facing green arrow 45'
MF 17 Wendell Rudath upward-facing green arrow 73'
MF 14 Joslin Kamatuka upward-facing green arrow 73'
Coach:
Collin Benjamin

Man of the Match:
Themba Zwane (South Africa)

South Africa vs Tunisia

[edit]

Tunisia and South Africa met for the seventh time, and the fifth at the Africa Cup of Nations. The first meeting came on Feb. 3, 1996, at the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations final, in which two goals from Mark Williams won South Africa, the tournament hosts, its first-ever continental title in front of 80,000 fans in Johannesburg. met each other for the first time since 2008, where Tunisia claimed the win. The nations also met three other times: 2000 in Accra, Ghana, when South Africa defeated Tunisia 4-3 in a penalty shootout to finish third in that tournament in. Tunisia's Ali Zitouni scored twice, including an 89th-minute goal to force extra time, but missed the final penalty kick in the shootout; 2006 in Alexandria, Egypt, with Tunisia winning 2-0 in the teams' second match in the group stage, a result that confirmed South Africa's elimination from the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations with a game to go; and 2008 in Tamale, Ghana, with Tunisia winning 3-1 in the teams' second match in the group stage.

The match was a largely dull affair as Tunisia proved too timid while South Africa was too reluctant to make convincing efforts as South Africa held the advantages at hand. However, with the match becoming increasingly dire for Tunisia, the Tunisians were forced to pour everything forward and, as a result, they almost fell to counterattack traps by South Africa, notably a failed effort by Sphephelo Sithole. Haythem Jouini had a chance but his nodd over from a glorious position went wide, as the result ended goalless, enough for South Africa but too late for Tunisia.

This was the first time since 2013 (ironically hosted by South Africa) that Tunisia were eliminated from the group stages.

South Africa 0–0 Tunisia
Report
South Africa
Tunisia
GK 1 Ronwen Williams (c)
RB 20 Khuliso Mudau downward-facing red arrow 45'
CB 18 Grant Kekana
CB 14 Mothobi Mvala
LB 6 Aubrey Modiba
CM 4 Teboho Mokoena
CM 13 Sphephelo Sithole
RW 23 Thapelo Morena downward-facing red arrow 67'
LW 10 Percy Tau
CF 11 Themba Zwane downward-facing red arrow 80'
CF 9 Evidence Makgopa downward-facing red arrow 84'
Substitutions:
DF 2 Nyiko Mobbie upward-facing green arrow 45'
FW 12 Thapelo Maseko upward-facing green arrow 67'
MF 15 Thabang Monare upward-facing green arrow 80'
FW 17 Zakhele Lepasa upward-facing green arrow 84'
Coach:
Belgium Hugo Broos
GK 22 Bechir Ben Saïd
RB 21 Wajdi Kechrida
CB 3 Montassar Talbi
CB 4 Yassine Meriah (c)
LB 2 Ali Abdi
RM 8 Hamza Rafia downward-facing red arrow 70'
CM 17 Ellyes Skhiri downward-facing red arrow 84'
CM 14 Aïssa Laïdouni
LM 10 Anis Ben Slimane downward-facing red arrow 59'
CF 27 Elias Achouri downward-facing red arrow 70'
CF 24 Seifeddine Jaziri downward-facing red arrow 70'
Substitutions:
FW 7 Youssef Msakni upward-facing green arrow 59'
FW 18 Sayfallah Ltaief upward-facing green arrow 70'
FW 23 Naïm Sliti upward-facing green arrow 70'
FW 9 Haythem Jouini upward-facing green arrow 70'
MF 5 Ali Ben Romdhane upward-facing green arrow 84'
Coach:
Jalel Kadri

Man of the Match:
Themba Zwane (South Africa)

Assistant referees:
Nouha Bangoura (Senegal)
Éric Ayimavo (Benin)
Fourth official:
Louis Houngnandande (Benin)
Video assistant referee:
Dahane Beida (Mauritania)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Diana Chicotesha (Zambia)

Namibia vs Mali

[edit]

Mali and Namibia met for the seventh time, and the first at a group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations. The previous six meetings came in qualification matches for three separate editions of the Africa Cup of Nations. The most recent involved two matches in November 2020, with Mali winning both matches; the second match, a 2-1 victory in Windhoek, Namibia, secured Mali's qualification for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. was the first time the two teams met in AFCON. Mali and Namibia also met while qualifying for the 1996 and 2000 Africa Cup of Nations, although both nations failed to qualify for those respective tournaments.

Prins Tjiueza was played through on goal before trying to place a shot in the far-bottom corner but it was denied by Djigui Diarra as Mali slowly regained control of the match and produced numerous attempts, but none could convert into goals. With increasing pressure, Mali became increasingly desperate for the win. However, as the game went to final minutes, Namibia dug deep to prevent any further Malian attempts as both teams were satisfied with a goalless draw.

This result was historic for Namibia, as they advanced past the group stages for the first time.

Namibia 0–0 Mali
Report
Namibia
Mali
GK 1 Lloyd Kazapua
RB 20 Ivan Kamberipa
CB 12 Kennedy Amutenya
CB 21 Lubeni Haukongo
LB 4 Riaan Hanamub
CM 10 Prins Tjiueza downward-facing red arrow 79'
CM 18 Aprocius Petrus
CM 6 Ngero Katua downward-facing red arrow 89'
RF 9 Bethuel Muzeu downward-facing red arrow 74'
CF 13 Peter Shalulile (c) downward-facing red arrow 90'
LF 7 Deon Hotto Yellow card 45+5'
Substitutions:
MF 11 Absalom Iimbondi upward-facing green arrow 74'
MF 15 Marcel Papama upward-facing green arrow 79'
DF 5 Charles Hambira upward-facing green arrow 89'
DF 2 Denzil Haoseb upward-facing green arrow 90'
Coach:
Collin Benjamin
GK 16 Djigui Diarra
RB 2 Hamari Traoré (c)
CB 5 Boubakar Kouyaté
CB 6 Sikou Niakaté
LB 13 Moussa Diarra downward-facing red arrow 68'
RM 19 Fousseni Diabaté downward-facing red arrow 81'
CM 23 Aliou Dieng downward-facing red arrow 68'
CM 10 Yves Bissouma
LM 27 Dorgeles Nene
CF 18 Youssoufou Niakaté downward-facing red arrow 53'
CF 25 Lassine Sinayoko downward-facing red arrow 52'
Substitutions:
FW 9 Ibrahim Sissoko upward-facing green arrow 52'
MF 26 Kamory Doumbia upward-facing green arrow 53'
DF 3 Amadou Dante upward-facing green arrow 68'
MF 12 Mohamed Camara upward-facing green arrow 68'
MF 21 Adama Traoré upward-facing green arrow 81'
Coach:
Éric Chelle

Man of the Match:
Deon Hotto (Namibia)

Assistant referees:
Adou Ngoh (Ivory Coast)
Nouho Ouattara (Ivory Coast)
Fourth official:
Ibrahim Traoré (Ivory Coast)
Video assistant referee:
Lahlou Benbraham (Algeria)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Salima Mukansanga (Rwanda)

Discipline

[edit]

Fair play points would have been used as tiebreakers if the overall and head-to-head records of teams were tied. These were calculated based on yellow and red cards received in all group matches as follows:

Only one of the above deductions was applied to a player in a single match.

Team Match 1 Match 2 Match 3 Points
Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card Yellow card Red card Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card Yellow card Red card Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card Yellow card Red card
 Tunisia 2 –2
 Mali 3 –3
 South Africa 2 1 –3
 Namibia 1 –1

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Olufemi, Damilola (12 October 2023). "FULL LIST: 2023 AFCON group draw". The Punch.
  2. ^ "WATCH LIVE: TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d'Ivoire 2023 Official Draw". Confederation of African Football. 10 December 2023.
  3. ^ "Tunisia vs Namibia match Report". globalsportsarchive.com. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  4. ^ "Mali vs South Africa match Report". globalsportsarchive.com. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  5. ^ "Tunisia vs Mali match Report". globalsportsarchive.com. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  6. ^ "South Africa vs Namibia match Report". globalsportsarchive.com. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  7. ^ "South Africa vs Tunisia match Report". globalsportsarchive.com. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  8. ^ "Namibia vs Mali match Report". globalsportsarchive.com. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
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