Botswana snatch dramatic win but must now wait

Gaonyadiwe Ontalmetse netted a dramatic stoppage time winner as Botswana came from behind to beat Tunisia 2-1 in a thrilling encounter at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations but must now wait to see whether they remain in the tournament in Morocco.

The win secured Botswana’s first points of the tournament and saw them finish in third place in Group B but they could yet be eliminated.

There are two places in the last eight for the best third placed finishers.

Senegal also have three points but a positive goal difference while Botswana have a minus one goal difference.

The only way the Mares can progress is if Ghana and Tanzania draw their last Group C clash in Berkane on Monday.

Botswana clinch the win over Tunisia in the final minutes! 🇧🇼⚽️#TotalEnergiesWAFCON2024 pic.twitter.com/clFnYsPQ9N

— CAF Women’s Football (@CAFwomen) July 13, 2025

Tunisia finished bottom of the standings and join DR Congo in heading home early from the tournament.

Neither side had managed to score a goal before Sunday’s game at the Stade Pere Jego in Casablanca, but Tunisia broke that deadlock 12 minutes into the clash

Yosra Ben Hadj Mahmoud’s effort gave them the start they were looking for and put them on course for qualification.

It came on the counter attack, with options both left and right but also benefitting from a defensive error, allowing French-based winger Mahmoud to get in a powerful shot for Tunisia’s first goal of the tournament.

Tunisia, however, were then a good deal of the game on the backfoot as a gallant Botswana side tried to keep alive their own hopes.

Botswana’s corner in the 33rd minute was cleared off the line and they continually tested the Tunisian goalkeeper Soulaima Jabrani, who looked distinctly uncomfortable with the efforts fired in at her.

There were a flurry of Botswana chances in the first 15 minutes of the second half but most of them hasty and panicked. But it was enough for Tunisia to play up to six across at the back at times.

The equaliser came after 65 minutes and was richly deserved with substitute Lesego Radiakanyo applying the finishing touch.

Both sides were then facing elimination and needed to win, ensuring a grandstand finish with Ontalmetse sweeping home the winner as an exhausted Tunisia no longer had any defenders in place.

Nigeria topped the group standings with seven points, while Algeria finished second place on five, after they played out a goalless draw in the other group B game, also played in Casablanca.