Tunisia and Botswana draw 2-2 in crucial AFCON 2027 qualifier

Tunisia and Botswana played to a 2-2 draw on September 28, 2026, at the Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi in Radès during Matchday 2 of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Botswana took the lead through Thatayaone Kgamanyane in the 37th minute after exploiting a Tunisian defensive error. Tunisia equalized before halftime when Hazem Mastouri headed home in the 44th minute, then took the lead through Mastouri's second goal in the 49th minute. Botswana equalized in the 60th minute when Lebogang Ditsele scored, and neither side could find a winner.

The result leaves both teams with two points from two matches in Group H. Tunisia drew 1-1 with co-host Uganda in their opening qualifier on September 24, while Botswana drew 2-2 with Libya in their first match. Tunisia's manager Moïne Chaabani made significant squad changes following the 2026 FIFA World Cup, recalling experienced internationals including Ferjani Sassi, Aïssa Laïdouni, and Ali Maâloul. Tunisia's performance fell short of expectations despite playing at home, with Goal.com describing the side as "flat for most of the contest" with limited attacking threat.

The group's structure gives Uganda automatic qualification as a co-host alongside Kenya and Tanzania. Of the remaining three teams—Tunisia, Botswana, and Libya—only the group winner will qualify for the 2027 tournament. Uganda will face Libya on September 29. Historically, Tunisia hold an advantage in head-to-head meetings, having won four of nine previous encounters against Botswana, compared to Botswana's three victories and two draws. Tunisia's most recent victory came 3-0 in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers.