Under the lights in Suez, a late break appeared to offer Libya’s Under-20 side a clear route to victory — until an assistant referee’s flag turned a four-against-one charge into an offside lesson.
A stoppage-time flag sparks confusion
Tunisia and Libya drew 1-1 on Saturday night in an Under-20 qualifier for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, played in Suez, Egypt. The result ended Tunisia’s hopes of reaching the tournament, with the Carthage Eagles needing a win.
In added time, Tunisia goalkeeper Slim Bouasker went forward for a final corner. Libya recovered possession and launched a rapid counter-attack, with several players racing into the open space left by the goalkeeper’s absence.
- Libya believed they had a four-versus-one situation and a chance to score a decisive second goal.
- An assistant referee stopped the attack after spotting an offside offence from a through ball.
- Several Libyan players and members of the coaching staff surrounded the official, convinced that the decision had denied them a major chance.
- Calm returned after officials and other staff members explained why the flag had been raised.
Why the attacker was offside
The decision was a straightforward application of the offside law, even if the situation initially appeared unusual because Tunisia’s goalkeeper was in the opposing penalty area.
Under IFAB’s Laws of the Game, a player is in an offside position when part of their head, body or feet is inside the opponents’ half — excluding the halfway line — and closer to the goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent.
With Bouasker still upfield after Tunisia’s corner, only one Tunisian player was behind the Libyan attacker: the goalkeeper was no longer part of the defensive line. The receiving player had also crossed well beyond the halfway line before the pass was played.
- For the move to remain onside, Tunisia would have needed another outfield player behind the attacker.
- Alternatively, the pass needed to be made before the attacker crossed the halfway line.
- Neither condition applied, making the assistant referee’s decision correct.
Draw brings Tunisia’s campaign to an end
Tunisia had taken the lead in the 24th minute through Dhirar Brik, but Moussa Ibrahim levelled for Libya in the 64th minute.
The 1-1 scoreline eliminated Tunisia from the race for the 2027 Under-20 AFCON. Libya, meanwhile, were left to regret the missed late opportunity. A win in Suez would have kept alive their qualification hopes ahead of their final match against Morocco on Tuesday.
