Tunisia National Team Concludes 2026 World Cup Qualification Campaign on a High Note
Our national team concluded the 2026 World Cup qualification campaign on a positive note, defeating Namibia 3-0 and preserving their unbeaten record. The victory was achieved with ease, which is reassuring for the team's future prospects.
A Slow Start
The Namibian team resisted for 28 minutes, slightly less than Sao Tomé-et-Principe, before succumbing to the Tunisian machine. Like in the previous match against Sao Tomé-et-Principe, our national team took time to settle into the game before gradually gaining momentum. Our attackers were not sharp enough at the beginning of the match to threaten the Namibian defense, with Hazem Mastouri falling into the offside trap more than once.
First Half Highlights
However, Namibia had a goal disallowed for handball in the 8th minute. The first real scoring opportunity came in the 17th minute when Abdi created danger with a header that grazed the crossbar following a beautiful assist from Yan Valery. Six minutes later, Ali Abdi dribbled past two defenders before unleashing a shot that narrowly missed the right side of the Namibian goal (23'). As our attackers continued to pressure the defense, they forced the opponents to make mistakes. Hannibal Mejbri's run into the penalty area led to a foul, and the referee awarded a penalty, which Ali Abdi converted (28'). In the 37th minute, Elias Saad was close to doubling the lead with a free kick, but the Namibian goalkeeper deflected the ball into a corner. Our internationals settled for a one-goal lead at halftime.
Second Half Highlights
Upon returning from the locker room, our internationals resumed the match with the same determination to score. Ellyes Skhiri missed the target by a hair's breadth (46'). Ten minutes later, Hannibal Mejbri scored his first goal for the national team, doubling the lead (56'), thanks to a precise cross from the left. At the 63rd minute, Ferjani Sassi tripled the lead with a low, crossed shot, following a long pass and an assist from Naïm Sliti.
A Clean Sheet
Our national team's ability to keep a clean sheet throughout the 2026 World Cup qualification campaign is thanks to Aymen Dahmen and his defensive teammates. Aymen Dahmen had an outstanding performance, making crucial saves, including a beautiful parade in the 60th minute, which denied a certain goal and sent the ball into a corner.
Conclusion
By defeating Namibia, the Tunisian team concludes the 2026 World Cup qualification campaign on a high note. This convincing win serves as a reassuring dress rehearsal for the upcoming Arab Cup and African Cup of Nations.
Tunisia's Lineup:
Dahmen, Talbi, Bronn, Abdi, Valery, Laidouni (Skhiri 46'), Sassi (Neffati 80'), Mejbri, Tonekti (Sliti 46'), Saad (Gharbi 65'), and Mastouri (Chaouat 71').
