Tunisia make WAFCON return after 14-year absence

Tunisia guaranteed their qualification to the TotalEnergies Women's Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2022, on a 7-3 aggregate triumph, despite a 3-2 second leg, last round loss to Equatorial Guinea in Malabo on Tuesday.

The Tunisians secured a huge 5-0 first leg win over Equatorial Guinea at Stade Municipal de Soliman last Friday, while the latter were hoping to over the five-goal deficit in the second leg at Estadio de Malabo on Wednesday.

In Malabo,the visitors enjoyed the brightest start in the contest as red-hot

Mariem Houij stunned the home fans when she handed the Tunisians an early lead after just eight minutes of action.

The ambitious Carthage Eagles did not relent on their oars against the Equatoguineans and they further extended their lead through Ella Kaabachi's brilliant effort in the 35th minute.

The Nzalang Nacional, however, rallied back and eventually reduced the deficit thanks to Elena Obono's strike in the dying minutes of the first half.

Both teams returned to the pitch in high spirits and enjoyed the fair share of possession in an end-to-end battle until Eugenia Bokoka's superb finish leveled matters for the home side in the 85th minute.

In the closing stages, the rejuvenated hosts stepped up their quest for a late goal to see off the visitors and Obono delivered the crucial matchwinner at the death.

Despite a 3-2 home win, the Central Africans crashed out of the race for the WAFCON on a 7-3 aggregate defeat against the Tunisians, who snatched the ticket to confirm their return to the continent for the first time in 14 years.