By Our African Football Correspondent
TUNISIA made a splash in their Africa Cup of Nations opener, weathering a relentless Rabat storm to dismantle Uganda 3-1 at the Stade Olympique de Rabat.
On a night where the heavens opened over Morocco’s capital, the Carthage Eagles proved they were far more than “fair weather” contenders.
The Stade Olympique de Rabat—better known as the Prince Moulay Abdellah Olympic Annex—provided a slick, high-octane backdrop for a match that saw Tunisia take control of Group C from the first whistle.
Despite the torrential downpour that soaked the 60,000-capacity complex, the Tunisians looked right at home. It took just ten minutes for the deadlock to break when Eintracht Frankfurt’s Ellyes Skhiri met a pinpoint corner from Hannibal Mejbri to nod home at the far post.
While the rain made the pitch treacherous, FC Copenhagen star Elias Achouri moved like he was playing on dry land. Five minutes before the break, he doubled the lead with a sublime side-footed volley that left Uganda’s Salim Magoola grasping at thin air.
Uganda, led by Paul Put, struggled to find their footing on the saturated surface. Though Toby Sibbick and Jordan Obita tried to inject life into the Cranes’ attack, the Tunisian defense held firm until the hour mark, when Achouri struck again, pouncing on a rebound to make it 3-0.
The atmosphere inside the annex was electric despite the deluge, with the Moroccan crowd turning out to witness the North African giants start their campaign in style.
The Tunisian coach, Sami Trabelsi, praised the facilities post-match, noting that the infrastructure in Rabat made his side feel right at home.
Uganda did manage a late consolation in stoppage time through Denis Omedi, whose deflected strike trickled past Yan Valery, but it was too little, too late.
Tunisia now head to Fes to face Nigeria in a mouth-watering clash on Saturday, while the Cranes remain in Rabat, hoping for clearer skies and better luck when they face Tanzania.
