Tunisia beat Ghana 5-4 on post-match penalties to qualify for the 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals after the game ended 1-1 after extra-time.
Tunisia may have shaded possession but Ghana created more chances and had more attempts on goal, with Tunisian goalkeeper Mouez Hassen (6) making twice as many saves as his Ghanaian counterpart, Richard Ofori.
Ghana nearly took the lead in the 15th minute but Nuhu Kasim’s header hit the post and Andre Ayew’s follow up was punched away by Hassen.
Andre Ayew thought he had opened the scoring in the 40th minute when he backheeled the ball from a cross by his brother, Jordan. However, the referee disallowed the goal ruling that Thomas Partey had handled the ball in the buildup.
Five minutes into the second half, Hassen saved a shot from Samuel Owusu which seemed destined to creep in at the near post.
In the 68th minute, Ofori got his fingertips to a cross from Wahbi Khazri, taking away its momentum from reaching Taha Khenissi, whose shot appeared to come off Kasim’s arm and went out for a corner. However, no penalty was awarded despite appeals from the Tunisians.
From the resulting corner, Khenissi rose unmarked and headed the ball firmly only to see his effort crash against the post.
Tunisia’s pressure paid off in the 72nd minute when Khenissi converted a cross from Wajdi Khechrida with a first-time shot.
Ghana equalized in dramatic fashion when substitute Rami Bedoui’s header looped over Hassen into the back of the net in the 90th minute, sending the game into extra time.
Both teams were unable to strike during extra time with their keepers pulling off saves meaning the game went to penalties.
Tunisia scored all their penalties but Caleb Ekuban of Ghana saw his effort saved by substitute keeper Ben Mustapha.
Ghana’s defeat means the Black Stars failed to make it to at least the semifinals of the tournament for the first time since 2008.
Moreover, Tunisia also managed to beat Ghana for the first time in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Tunisia will face debutants Madagascar at the Al-Salam Stadium on Thursday for a place in the semifinals.
