South Africa vs Tunisia prediction: AFRICA: Africa Cup of Nations betting tips on match 2024-01-23 17:00.
It’s all still to play for in Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group E, as the top two spots remain up for grabs. South Africa would like to think they’re well-placed to claim one of those, and after a thumping 4-0 victory against Namibia, they know a victory here will cement their place in the top two, though simply avoiding defeat may be enough depending on the outcome of the group’s other game.
Few can predict what to expect from South Africa here, not least because of their indifferent form in their last eight AFCON finals games (W3, L5). Adding to the loss column here would leave them susceptible to finishing bottom of the group, an embarrassing feat that last befell them in the 2015 edition. But after influential attacker Themba Zwane claimed his side “definitely need a win to qualify”, there certainly appears fire in the belly to avoid replicating that plight.
One side who do definitely need to win to advance are Tunisia, who currently prop up Group E. That’s something even the most pessimistic Tunisian’s never thought they’d be saying at the start of the tournament, as FIFA’s third-highest ranked African nation, who sit 38 places higher than their South African opponents, are on the brink of exiting AFCON at the group stage for the first time since 2013.
A 1-1 draw with Mali on matchday two has certainly hurt the 2004 AFCON champions’ chances of advancing, but it’ll be their shock matchday one defeat against #115-ranked Namibia which really haunts them if they crash out here. South Africa are perhaps an ideal opponent for this must win clash then, as Tunisia have won three of the last four H2Hs (L1), though this is the first meeting between the pair since January 2008.
Players to watch: Zwane is just one goal away from reaching double figures on the international stage and he’s netted a brace on three of his last four international scoring appearances for South Africa. Hamza Rafia has scored Tunisia’s only goal at this AFCON, with that serving as his second from his three international goals to close the scoring.
Hot stat: Only one of South Africa’s last seven AFCON games at the finals saw both teams score.