The Tunisian team headed into the tournament as Africa’s second highest-ranked team, but made an inauspicious start by drawing with Angola.

Head coach Alain Giresse had opted to make changes following the result, with Hassan Mouez chosen to start in goal after Farouk Ben Mustapha’s mistake in the opening match.

The decision backfired on the hour when Semassekou came to collect a corner from Diadie Semassekou, but only succeeded in diverting the ball into his own net.

Having largely dictated play in the first hour of the match, Tunisia found themselves chasing an equaliser.

It came through their captain Khazri in fortuitous circumstances.

Khazri had attempted to curl a free-kick over the Mali wall but instead saw his effort deflect heavily off the defensive blockade, diverting the ball into the opposite side of the goal.

Neither side were able to find a winning goal in the closing stages, with the result leaving Mali top of Group E on four points.

Tunisia lie second on two, but could be overtaken tomorrow when Angola face Mauritania.

Group D saw Ivory Coast and Morocco meet at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, with both teams seeking their second wins.

A solitary effort from Youssef En-Nesyri proved enough to earn Morocco a 1-0 victory and a place in the last 16.

South Africa’s then earned a 1-0 win over Namibia at the same venue, with a Bongani Zungu goal giving them their first win of the tournament.