Afcon 2021: The Gambia net late winner against Tunisia

Tunisia's penalty curse struck again as defeat by The Gambia left the Carthage Eagles with a daunting last 16 Africa Cup of Nations tie against Nigeria.

Baboucarr Gaye saved Seifeddine Jaziri's penalty as Tunisia missed from the spot for the third successive game.

The Gambia capitalised as Musa Barrow's 25-yard free-kick struck the bar before Ablie Jallow hit an injury-time winner.

The result means Tunisia finish third in Group F while debutants The Gambia, in second, will face Guinea.

Both countries began the game in Limbe knowing that they were already sure of progressing because of results elsewhere.

However, Tunisia knew anything other than victory would likely mean a meeting with Nigeria — the only team with a 100% record at the tournament — in the first round of the knock-out stages.

So, despite a Covid outbreak that left coach Mondher Kebaier only able to name five substitutes with 12 players unavailable, it was no shock the 2004 champions were the more positive side throughout.

Tunisia's clearest opening saw back-up keeper Gaye dive to his right to thwart Jaziri, who won the spot-kick himself by drawing a foul from the errant foot of The Gambia captain Pa Modou Jagne.

Jaziri became the third different Tunisia player to miss from the spot in the tournament after Youssef Msakni hit the woodwork in the 4-0 win over Mauritania and Wahbi Khazri was denied in the controversial 1-0 defeat by Mali.

Gaye had produced an excellent save to thwart Aissa Bilal Laidouni seconds before the penalty was awarded, and his cause was perhaps helped by the delay leading up to the spot-kick as the Scorpions protested the decision.

That led to ugly scenes after the half-time whistle, with referee Fernando Guerrero Ramirez brandishing a red