Qatar 2022: Wahbi Kazhri, A Silver lining With Africa’s 7th MOTM Win Despite Tunisia’s Ousting

Despite the Carthage Eagles’ great victory against France (1-0) on Wednesday, Tunisia will not play in the round of 16 of this year’s World Cup.

This 2021 AFCON quarter-finalists needed a draw or a loss from Australia to qualify. In the end, Australia won 1-0 against Denmark. The Eagles were therefore eliminated for the 6th time in their history in the group stage.

Author of the winning goal, Wahbi Khazri spoke to beIN Sport post match after he was awarded the man of the match award.

“We are disappointed, because we would have liked to qualify. This victory is good, we showed character and a beautiful face. We have regrets about the first two matches, because we were able to do much better offensively. But I want to salute the state of mind of the group. We are disappointed with the result in the other match, because we had done the job,” Kazhri said.

Wahbi Khazri also made World Cup history by scoring that goal against France. He became the first African player to score on his 3 consecutive starts in the competition. Kazhri is the second Tunisian player to win the man of the match after Aïssa Aidouni. He joins Aboubakar Vincent, Mo. Kudus, Boulaye Dia, Kalidou Koulibaly and Hakim Ziyech to have won the personal accolade.