Tunisia capitalised on Zambia's profligacy in front of goal to comeback from 1-0 down to win 2-1 late in the game. The Eagles of Carthage have now got 4 points from their opening two matches and pole position in Group B. Zambia is left with only a solitary point from their opening game, with only one more match left to play in their group.
However, Zambia started well; the Eagles of Carthage were passive and outplayed by the Chipolopolo, (The Bullets) in the first hour of the match. The Bullets could have had the game won by half-time with brilliant Rainford Kalaba firing wide from twenty-five metres out.
They had to wait until the 59th minute of the game when Emmanuel Mayuka, a 24 -year- old Southampton's striker, scored by blasting a venomous effort home, after a cross from the impressive winger Kalaba.
The turning point in the match came only several minutes later when Mayuka injured himself, as he attempted to connect with a ball, trying to turn the chance in and double his country's lead. The Bullets were momentarily down to 10 men, and while Mayuka's team mates moved attention to the touchline where the player was receiving treatment, Tunisia players were quick to take advantage of the situation, with Ahmed Akaichi scoring an effort in the 70th minute, only two yards out.
At that point the match had quickly tipped in the balance of Tunisia, who now had all the momentum.
Tunisia came from behind and in the 89th minute of the game the pressure proved too much for Zambia, as the Eagles of Carthage's captain Yassine Chikhaoui headed home a late winner, which earned his country the three points and the lead position in Group B.
Zambia have not won anything since lifting the African Cup of Nations trophy in 2012, drawing their last four games before this defeat, which was their first defeat in 13 African Cup of Nations games.
The Eagles of Carthage won the African Cup in 2004, when the Cup was played in Tunisia. With a total of four points from two matches now, they will face DR Congo on Monday while Zambia will meet Cape Verde in their final group match.
