Tunisian leave it late to draw against Senegal
Fulham's Diomansy Kamara though he had fired Senegal to victory in their opening Group D match against Tunisia, but a wonder strike from Mejdi Traoui with only seven minutes left on the clock meant the highly-entertaining game ended in a 2-2 draw.
Kamara's team came from a goal behind and were on course for a win until a poor defensive clearance found its way to Traoui in a central position.
The midfielder laced his shot from 35 yards and it arced into the top-left of stranded Senegalese goalkeeper Tony Sylva's goal. He wheeled away knowing that he had netted one of the goals of the tournament - it was as good as Sulley Muntari's strike in the opening game when Ghana defeated Guinea 2-1.
Issam Jomaa had given the Tunisians, led by Frenchman Roger Lemerre, the lead after only 10 minutes, and they then proceeded to defend against Senegal.
In a competitive first half both sides traded possession and the Tunisians shut up shop after Jomaa's goal.
Senegal were lifted by an equaliser on the stroke of the interval, courtesy of a Radhi Jaidi mistake in the Tunisian defence. The former Bolton defenfer's needless block fell to Bayal Sall, who slotted home.
Buoyed by that psychological fillip Senegal pushed on in the second half. Kamara, who plays in midfield for his country but in a more advanced position when he features in the Premier League, should have scored after only four minutes, having been played through by captain El Hadji Diouf.
The Bolton forward's through ball sent the 27-year-old clear, but he could only steer the ball agonisingly wide.
He made amends in the 66th minute when a Senegalese corner was not properly cleared. The ball eventually found Kamara, who swept it gratefully into the net from five yards.
Looking down the barrel at defeat, Kamara's goal forced Tunisia to be more adventurous, and Traoui's goal was their reward.
The draw means that if either South Africa or Angola win in the late kick-off on Wednesday at the Tamala Sports Stadium, they will go top of Group D.
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