Tunisia coach Adel Sellimi says his young Carthage Eagles lacked cohesion following their narrow defeat against The Gambia.

Tunisia started slow in the TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Group C opener at the Alexandria Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.

They were second best in large parts of the match before Alagie Saine headed The Gambia in front with six minutes of normal time remaining on the clock.

“We had prepared well but we missed the start. We lacked cohesion in the midfield,” said Sellimi.

“We especially lacked purpose in the last third.

“We lacked inspiration but we were in place. We will have to improve because the group is capable of having a burst of pride,” he added.

Tunisia will face Benin in their second group match at the Alexandria stadium on Friday, 24 February at 16h00 local time (14:00 GMT)