CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations – Group A
Date: May 19, 2026
Venue: Complexe Mohammed VI de Football, Morocco
Result: Ethiopia 1-0 Tunisia
Goal: Amir Misbah (90’+)
Implication: Ethiopia advanced to the FIFA U-17 World Cup qualification playoffs following a dramatic late victory over Tunisia.
Entering the final Group A fixture, Ethiopia faced Tunisia with their tournament hopes still alive. A positive result was required to continue both team’s journey toward FIFA U-17 World Cup qualification. Under American coach Benjamin Ziemer, Ethiopia had already established themselves as one of the surprise teams of the competition, competing well despite being viewed as one of the tournament’s underdogs with uninspiring performances in the group stages from Tunisia lead by Hedider Abderrazak. Both teams lined up in a 4-2-3-1 structure, creating several interesting tactical battles throughout the match. Ethiopia’s squad was notably young, with several players born in 2010 and 2011 competing against a physically mature Tunisian side featuring players from professional academies such as FC Sochaux, Wolfsburg, Angers SCO, Dijon, OGC Nice, and Espérance Tunis.
Tunisia began aggressively, pressing effectively through midfield and attempting to establish control early on in the match. Their primary attacking strategy focused on direct balls into wide areas, allowing their wingers and forwards to engage Ethiopian defenders in isolated situations while midfield or full-backs provided support. Ethiopia initially appeared cautious and somewhat hesitant in possession. However, after surviving the opening pressure, they gradually settled into the match. By the sixth minute, Ethiopia began producing longer possession sequences and building effectively through the thirds.
A noticeable tactical theme emerged as Ethiopia consistently looked to break lines through central areas before utilizing third-man runs in wide channels. This movement allowed them to advance the ball into dangerous crossing positions and create opportunities around Tunisia’s penalty area. At approximately the 16-minute mark, Ethiopia generated one of the best chances of the half from an attacking corner. Their threat from set pieces was enhanced by their ability to win second balls around the edge of the penalty area.
As confidence grew, Ethiopia increasingly controlled possession. Their build-up play became more fluid, and they showed an ability to progress the ball through midfield rather than relying solely on direct attacks. Whenever forward passes were intercepted, Ethiopia immediately activated an aggressive counter-press to regain possession or force Tunisia into retreating.
Tunisia remained dangerous in transition. Several counterattacks forced Ethiopia into defensive recovery actions, including one incident requiring a penalty review following a challenge inside the penalty area. Despite these moments, Tunisia struggled to consistently convert transitions into genuine goal-scoring opportunities.
While Ethiopia consistently progressed into advanced positions, their final pass lacked the precision required to fully capitalize on their advantage. Tunisia’s central defenders, Nael Moussa and Moncef Thabti, defended their penalty area effectively and helped maintain a scoreless first half.
Tunisia opened the second half attempting to establish possession and gain a stronger foothold in the game. However, Ethiopia continued applying consistent pressure on the ball, frequently forcing Tunisia to play long. Operating from their 4-2-3-1 structure, Ethiopia attempted to direct play into central areas where they could regain possession before launching quick attacks. Tunisia’s best opportunities continued to come from counterattacks, including one dangerous moment when a runner broke in behind the Ethiopian defense only for goalkeeper Temesgen Kebede to react quickly and intercept before a shot could be taken. Kebede’s composure and positioning were important throughout the match as Ethiopia managed Tunisia’s direct attacking threat, specifically when claiming aerial and ground duels.
The match entered a tactical stalemate for much of the second half. Both teams defended well, limiting clear scoring opportunities and forcing attacks into less dangerous areas. Tunisia introduced Ryan Taouriti and Wassim Charrad around the 59th minute, while Ethiopia responded with substitutions of their own, including Eniyew Selesh and later Amir Misbah to try to gain an advantage during attacking phases of play.
A tactical adjustment occurred when Ethiopia pushed Biniyam Abrha closer to the front line, transforming their structure from a 4-2-3-1 into a more aggressive 4-1-3-2 during phases of pressing. This increased pressure on Tunisia’s back line and reduced their ability to build sustained possession.
Ethiopia continued creating overloads in wide areas and showed patience in possession, repeatedly building through the thirds and switching the point of attack. Tunisia remained reliant on individual quality and combination play during counterattacks but struggled to sustain pressure for long periods.
As the match entered the final ten minutes, the game became increasingly transitional. Tunisia nearly punished Ethiopia in the 89th minute when a defensive lapse created a dangerous 4v4 attacking situation. Tunisia generated their clearest opportunity of the match, but the effort struck the post before rebounding safely into the hands of the Ethiopian goalkeeper.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 93rd minute. The move originated from a long distribution by goalkeeper Temesgen Kebede. Ethiopia successfully competed for both the first and second balls before quickly advancing possession into a wide area. Supporting runners arrived around the ball, creating the numerical superiority Ethiopia had consistently sought throughout the match with two runners in the box to finish the attack.
A quality cross was then delivered into the penalty area where substitute Amir Misbah (#11) arrived centrally to finish and score the decisive goal. Misbah had entered the match in the 72nd minute and required only 18 minutes to make the difference. Abrha was credited with the assist. Following the goal, emotions boiled over on the Tunisian bench, resulting in a red card being shown to Tunisia’s manager Hedider Abderrazak.
Ethiopia’s 1-0 victory was a deserved reward for a disciplined, organized, and increasingly confident performance. After weathering Tunisia’s early pressure, Ethiopia gradually took control through superior possession, positional play, and relentless work ethic both with and without the ball.
For Benjamin Ziemer’s side, the result represented another significant step forward in an impressive tournament campaign, securing a pathway into the FIFA U-17 World Cup qualification playoffs.
Standout Players throughout the Match:
- Cherenet Ufayisa (Ethiopia #17) — 2011 born defensive midfielder who plays first team football with Ethiopian club Wolayta Dicha. He’s made 20 appearances so far in this 2026/2026 season with 16 club appearances and 4 U17 international appearances; tallying a total of 774 minutes across all competitions. Ufayisa’s ability to recover possession, composure in the middle third and range of passing are his biggest strengths.
- Biniyam Abrha (Ethiopia #10) — 2011 born attacking midfielder who plays first team football with Ethiopian club Shaggar City FC. Coming up through the 3 points academy, Abrha has now tallied 11 club appearances and 4 U17 international appearances with a total of 746 minutes played across all competitions so far in the 2025/2026 season. Abrha’s ability to play passes forward and break lines in tight spaces are his biggest strengths.
- Yahia Jlidi (Tunisia #14) — Of Tunisian and French descent, the 2009 born attacking midfielder and left winger plays academy football with French club Angers SCO with both the U17s & U19 age groups. Having developed through CAP Charenton and US Creteil-Lusitanos, in the 2025/2026 season Jlidi has appeared in 7 matches for club and 6 matches for country, tallying 1151 minutes across all competitions. Jlidi’s individual ability in 1v1 situations and creative decision making are his biggest strengths.
- Nael Moussa (Tunisia #3) — Of Tunisian and French descent, the 2009 born central defender plays academy football with French club Dijon in the U19 age group. Formerly of FC Wissous and FC Fleury 91, Moussa has now appeared in 3 matches for Dijon U19 and 3 matches for Tunisia U17; contributing a total of 357 minutes across all competitions. Moussa’s strengths are his range of passing, ability to recover possession and strength in 1v1 defensive duels. He is represented by YA’ATS SPORTS based in France.
- Moncef Tahiti (Tunisia #5) — Of Tunisian and German descent, the 2009 central defender plays academy football with Wolfsburg’s U17 age group. Tahiti has appeared in 14 club matches and 6 international matches, tallying 1165 minutes across all competitions as well as scoring twice for his country in the 2025/2026 season. Tahiti’s strengths are his range of passing, ability to play forward and technical ability; specifically first touch. He is represented by Alfaria Sports GmbH based in Germany.
- Sofiane Miaouah (Tunisia #12) — Of Tunisian and French descent, the 2010 left back plays academy football with OGC Nice with the U17 age group. Developing through the ranks of ESS Nice Nord, ASTAM Nice, AS CAgnes-Le Cros, and Cavigal Nice, Miaouah is now rostered with OGC Nice where he is yet to make his debut for the club. Internationally, he has played 3 matches, tallying 180’ across all competitions in the 2025/2026 season. Miaouah’s strengths are 1v1 defensive ground and aerial duels as well as ability to regain possession from completing tackles.
