Dos Santos Scores Tres in Tunisia Win

Experience and talent proved to be more than enough as Tunisia overcame an early scare to defeat Zambia 4-1 at the African Nations Cup Sunday.

The tournament holders fell behind in the ninth minute when Zambia’s James Chamanga got free on a breakaway and slid one past keeper Ali Boumnijel.

From that point on it was all Tunisia with Brazil-born striker Francileudo dos Santos leading the charge. Dos Santos scored three goals as the Tunisia turned a tight match into a rout against a Zambia side featuring a lot of young, unproven players.

Captain Riadh Bouazizi added the other goal for the Carthage Eagles. Bouazizi is playing in his 6th African Nations Cup tournament and is part of the core nucleus of players Tunisia that hoisted the trophy in 2004 and are looking to do the same this year.

This was a good start and an expected result from Tunisia. The defense will have to tighten a bit in the next game, but I like what I saw from the midfield and with Dos Santos in form this could be shaping up to be another special tournament for the team.

Tunisia fans have much to cheer about. Photo