Carthage Eagles cruis to AFCON win

Elias Achouri scored twice as Tunisia cruised to a 3-1 win over Uganda in their opening Africa Cup of Nations encounter in Rabat.

Despite qualifying for the 2026 World Cup without losing a game or conceding a goal, Tunisia are not considered among the leading contenders for the title.

But the 2004 champions laid down a marker amid a deluge in their first Group C game, with Achouri the star of the show.

Ellyes Skhiri headed Tunisia in front in the 10th minute, before goals from Achouri either side of half-time made sure of a comfortable victory before Denis Omedi made the scoreline more respectable for Uganda.

Tunisia ease to victory

The warning signs were there early for Uganda, with Hazem Mastouri turning wide from close range after excellent work down the left from Hannibal Mejbri.

Mejbri’s delivery was key as Tunisia took the lead, his ball to the far post squeezed home by Skhiri and they continued to dominate thereafter.

Tunisia had to wait another 30 minutes to double their advantage, but when they did make it 2-0 they did so in style, Achouri meeting Ali Abdi’s pull back with a superb side-foot volley.

The rain abated in the second half, but there was no let up from Tunisia, who secured the points in the 64th minute when Achouri converted on the rebound after Abdi had been denied by Salim Magoola.

Substitute Omedi pulled one back late on for Uganda with a deflected effort to give the Cranes something to cheer, though it was little more than consolation.

Tunisia move to the top of Group C, and next face Nigeria on December 27 in a game that will likely decide the group.