Big win in Egypt edges Tunisia closer to next round

Tunisia moved a giant step towards the second round of TotalEnergies Women's Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2022 qualifiers, beating hosts Egypt 6-2 in Cairo on Wednesday.

Ella Kaabachi elected herself as “woman of the match” scoring a hat-trick as the Tunisians ended the first half 2-1 up before completing the rout after the break.

The Carthage Eagle Ladies dominated everything at Petrosport Stadium in New Cairo suburb of the Egyptian capital, as they have already put one leg in the second round before hosting the Lady Pharaohs in Tunis next week.

Leila Maknoun broke the deadlock for the visitors after just five minutes, but Egypt responded immediately with Laila Sherif restoring parity two minutes later.

Kaabachi added Tunisia’s second after 31 minutes, as the visitors ended the first half leading 2-1.

Just after the break, Kaabachi scored her second of the evening, to set a two-goal lead for Tunisia. But Dana Nada gave Egypt some hope when she reduced the deficit after 65 minutes.

But there was no way back for the hosts as Tunisia added three goals in eight minutes. Kaabachi completed here hat-trick after 74 minutes, with Mariem Houij scoring from the spot four minutes later.

Sabrine Ellouzi put the icing over Tunisia’s cake after 82 minutes as they emerged 6-2 to victorious to put a leg in the next round.