Tunisia National Team Concludes World Cup 2026 Qualifying Campaign on a High Note
Our national team closed out the World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign on a positive note, defeating Namibia 3-0 while preserving their undefeated record. The victory was achieved with ease, which is reassuring. According to La Presse, Namibia ultimately put up less resistance than Sao Tomé and Principe, lasting only 28 minutes before succumbing to the Tunisian machine. Similar to the match against Sao Tomé and Principe, our national team took time to settle into the game before gradually gaining momentum. Our attackers were not sufficiently effective at the beginning of the match to threaten the Namibian defense, with Hazem Mastouri falling into the offside trap more than once.
However, Namibia had a goal disallowed for handball in the 8th minute. In terms of scoring opportunities, it wasn't until the 17th minute that Abdi created danger with a header that grazed the crossbar following a beautiful assist from Yan Valery. Six minutes later, Ali Abdi struck again, dribbling past two Namibian defenders before unleashing a shot that narrowly missed the right side of the goal (23'). As our attackers continued to pressure the Namibian defense, they eventually forced a mistake. Hannibal Mejbri slipped into the penalty area and was fouled by Charles Hambira, prompting the referee to award a penalty, which Ali Abdi converted (28').
At 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 ultimately settled for a one-goal lead at halftime.
Mejbri Scores His First International Goal
Upon returning from the locker room, our internationals resumed the match with the same determination to score. Ellyes Skhiri narrowly missed the target early on (46'). Ten minutes later, Hannibal Mejbri doubled the lead with a precise header from a millimeter-perfect cross from the left, scoring his first international goal (56').
At the 63rd minute, following a long pass and an assist from Naïm Sliti, Ferjani Sassi tripled the lead with a low, crossed shot. If our national team succeeded in keeping a clean sheet throughout the World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign, it's thanks to Aymen Dahmen and his defensive teammates. Aymen Dahmen had a great day, making crucial saves, including a beautiful stop at the 60th minute, clearing the ball into a corner and preventing a certain goal.
By defeating Namibia, the Tunisian team concludes the World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign on a high note. This is a reassuring performance ahead of the Arab Cup and the 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').
