Tunisia and Botswana shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw at the Stade Olympique de Radès on Monday, leaving both teams still searching for their first win in the Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifiers. After two rounds, each side has picked up just two points from draws, putting pressure on their upcoming matches in Group H.
Botswana struck first through Thatayaone Kgamanyane in the 37th minute, giving the visitors the lead in an away game. Tunisia responded quickly and decisively, with Hazem Mastouri scoring twice—once before halftime and once shortly after—to turn the game in Tunisia’s favour. Mastouri’s goals seemed to set the hosts on course for their first victory after a 1-1 draw against co-host Uganda in their opening match.
But Botswana’s resilience showed when Lebogang Ditsele scored in the 60th minute to equalise. The scoreline remained 2-2 until the final whistle, ensuring both teams left the pitch without the three points they desperately needed.
Both Tunisia and Botswana sit on two points after two games. Tunisia drew 1-1 with Uganda, while Botswana opened their campaign with a 2-2 draw against Libya. With Uganda already guaranteed a spot at the 2027 finals as one of the three co-hosting nations, the group’s qualification race depends on which team finishes highest behind Uganda.
This adds extra weight to every point earned in Group H. Libya, Uganda’s next opponents, meet on Tuesday, and their result will further shape the group standings.
Elsewhere on Monday, DR Congo took full control of Group E with a 2-1 win over Zimbabwe in Harare. The win gives DR Congo six points from two games, keeping their perfect start intact. Yoane Wissa scored and assisted Samuel Moutoussamy’s goal, while Zimbabwe managed a late consolation through Marshall Munetsi. DR Congo’s victory puts them three points clear at the top.
In Group E, Equatorial Guinea claimed their first win, edging Sierra Leone 1-0 in Yaounde. Loren Zuniga scored inside the opening minute, and that early strike proved enough. Sierra Leone remain without a point, while Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea have three each.
Group F saw Burkina Faso beat the Central African Republic 1-0 in Casablanca, courtesy of Aboubacar Camara’s goal in the 60th minute. This was only Camara’s second senior international appearance. Burkina Faso now have four points from two matches. Mauritania and Benin, with three and one point respectively, are yet to finish their Matchday 2 fixtures, meeting in Abidjan on Tuesday.
With several matches still to come, DR Congo is the only side among those who played Monday to have maintained a perfect record. Tunisia and Botswana remain tied on points in their group but will need to convert draws to wins if they want to secure the qualifying spot outside the hosts.
The 2-2 outcome in Radès keeps Group H wide open, but Tunisia and Botswana face mounting pressure to break their winless runs. Each point earned is hard-won in a group where Uganda’s automatic qualification narrows the path for others.
According to 3News.
