Africa Cup of Nations co-hosts Gabon recorded a third straight win to top Group C, defeating Tunisia 1-0 in Franceville on Tuesday night.
Panthers striker Pierre Aubameyang scored his third goal of the tournament, netting just past the hour mark to provide the game’s defining moment.
The Carthage Eagles pushed hard to get back in the game but never looked like finding a way past Gabon’s defence.
The North Africans still progress to the quarterfinals as the second-placed side from the group, ahead of Morocco and Niger.
Tunisia started the match strongly, moving the ball swiftly between attackers Youssef Msakni, Issam Jemaa and Saber Khelifa with some intelligent passing patterns that troubled Gabon’s defence in the opening minutes.
But it was Gabon that broke the deadlock on 62 minutes, with Aubameyang getting away a low shot that should have been stopped by Jridi but skipped over the ‘keeper’s legs and found its way into the back of the net.
Meanwhile, Morocco salvaged some lost pride from their poor attempt at challenging for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 win over Niger in Group C at the Stade de l’Amitie. Younes Belhanda scored the lone goal 11 minutes from time.
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