The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia booked a historic 17th successive appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in dramatic fashion, going down to 10 men yet finding a winner all in the closing stages against Madagascar at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.
Hamza Rafia put Tunisia ahead after only six minutes of an entertaining first half. Sayfallah Ltaief put Tunisia back in front five minutes before the break after Amenallah Memmiche’s own goal got Madagascar on level terms in the 20th minute.
However, the Madagascans ensured the game went into break on level terms through Ibrahim Amada’s goal three minutes into first-half stoppage time as they aimed for a win that would keep their slim qualification hope alive.
Wajdi Kechrida was sent off for Tunisia two minutes to the end of the 90, but it was still the 10-man North Africans that secured the winning goal through Ali Abdi in the 93rd minute and seal qualification to AFCON 2025.