Tunisia bounce back to beat Kenya and revive U-20 AFCON hopes
Published: Sunday, 04 May 2025
Tunisia came from behind to claim a much-needed 3-1 victory over Kenya in their second Group B match at the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt 2025 on Sunday at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium in Cairo.
After a narrow opening-day defeat to Nigeria, Tunisia entered the match desperate to avoid a second successive loss. Their response was emphatic in the second half, as goals from Omar Ben Ali and Alaeddine Derbali secured all three points for the North Africans.
Kenya had struck first in a lively encounter. Lawrence Ouma gave the East Africans a 1-0 lead in the 38th minute, pouncing from close range after a smart assist by Hassan Beja. It was a reward for a bright first-half showing by Kenya, who had also impressed in their opening 3-2 defeat to Morocco.
However, Tunisia found a route back into the game just before half-time through a penalty converted by Farès Bousnina, following a VAR review for handball by Baron Ochieng in the box. The equaliser shifted momentum Tunisia's way going into the break.
The Carthage Eagles emerged dominant after the restart. They introduced substitutes Omar Ben Ali and Alaeddine Derbali, who made an immediate impact. Ben Ali made it 2-1 in the 70th minute with a composed finish from close range after persistent attacking pressure.
Derbali then sealed the victory five minutes from time with a spectacular long-range strike that flew into the top corner, capping a confident second-half performance from Tunisia and ending a four-match winless run at the finals.
Kenya, who had started the match with attacking flair, faded as the second half progressed and were unable to replicate their early energy. They remain without a point from two matches and now face an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout stages.
Tunisia's win lifts them to three points in Group B ahead of the crucial clash between Nigeria and Morocco later tonight, with all four teams still in contention.
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