Both sides were extremely tense, and it reflected in the overall play, as a total of 0.12 xG for both teams combined was accrued after 40 minutes. At that point, the first major event of the match occurred.
Referee Jean-Jacques Ndala made a pivotal decision, awarding Tunisia a penalty after a lengthy VAR call as Ibrahim Hamad was deemed to have brought down Hazem Mastouri from a free kick.
Up stepped Gharbi, who netted only his second international goal to give his side an important lead just before half-time.
Despite almost nothing from an attacking perspective in the first period, Tanzania hit back with a strike from nowhere.
A few minutes after the restart, Novatus Miroshi slipped the ball to Feisal Salum, who struck a low effort from outside the box to beat Aymen Dahman, handing Miguel Gamondi’s side a much-needed equaliser.
There was nothing to separate the two sides for the remainder of a routine second half in which Tunisia were content to see out the contest, knowing they could not be overtaken in second.
With the points shared, both countries will progress to the next stage, albeit in different circumstances.
Tunisia finished second in Group C behind Nigeria to qualify, while Tanzania have navigated their way through the best third-placed AFCON teams. Having netted more one goal more than Angola, it means they have the potential of facing either Morocco or Egypt, two of the competition’s favourites, in the next round.
As for Tunisia, they face off against Mali, who were runners-up in Group A.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Novatus Miroshi (Tanzania)