Tunisia salvaged a 1-1 draw against Mali on Friday in their second Group E match at the Suez Stadium in Suez.
Wahbi Khazri’s deflected 70th minute free-kick, which wrong-footed Malian goalkeeper Djigui Diarra, earned the Eagles of Carthage a point.
Mali took the lead in the 60th minute after Tunisian goalkeeper Mouez Hassen fumbled a corner-kick by Diadie Samassekou into his own net.
Tunisia edged ball possession compared to Mali but both teams failed to create chances in front of goal mustering two attempts on target each.
“We would have felt better if we had won but a draw is not a bad result,” Mali coach Mohamed Magassouba said after the match.
“We are satisfied we didn’t lose but definitely not satisfied because we didn’t win,” Tunisia’s coach Alain Giresse said.
Mali remain top of Group E on four points while Tunisia move up to second on two points, one ahead of Angola who are still to play Mauritania.
Tunisia will play Mauritania in their final group game on Tuesday at the Suez Stadium, while Mali face Angola simultaneously in Ismailia.
