EBEBIYIN – Heldon helped Cape Verde hold on for a 1-1 draw against Tunisia on Sunday at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

The Sporting Lisbon forward equalized from the penalty spot in the 77th minute, shortly after being brought down by Tunisia defender Syam Ben Youssef.

Mohamed Ali Moncer had given Tunisia the lead in the 70th minute. Jamel Saihi set up the score with pass to Ali Maaloul, who then rolled the ball across the front of goal to Moncer.

The draw leaves all four teams in Group B with one point each. In the other group match, Zambia and Congo also drew 1-1.

Both matches were played in Ebebiyin at a new stadium carved out of the dense jungle in the northeastern corner of Equatorial Guinea.

The stadium was filled with spectators, but the newly laid turf took a beating as players cut up large chunks with nearly every slide.

Cape Verde had plenty of chances to score before Moncer gave the Tunisians the lead, including a header from Fernando Varela that hit the post in the second minute.

In the 56th, Kuca Miranda broke free and beat Tunisia goalkeeper Aymen Mathlouthi but Ben Youssef cleared the ball off the line.

Ben Youssef then nearly gave his team the lead in the 63rd but his goal was disallowed for a foul on Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha moments after Yasine Chikhaoui had hit the post with a header.

Cape Verde will take on Congo in the next set of Group B matches on Thursday, while Tunisia will face 2012 champion Zambia.

– Sapa-AP