Wahbi Khazri rescued a point for Tunisia against Mali in Suez as they boosted their chances of qualifying for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations last 16.

His deflected free-kick earned a 1-1 draw that takes them second in Group E.

Mali had taken the lead when goalkeeper Mouez Hassen spilt Diadie Samassekou’s corner into his own net.

Tunisia play Mauritania in their final group game on Tuesday at the same venue, while Mali face Angola at the same time in Ismailia.

Tunisia started brightly in the sweltering heat, and former Sunderland striker Khazri saw his well-struck free-kick clatter against the crossbar in the fourth minute.

Two minutes later, Khazri tried an audacious lob of Djigui Diarra from inside the centre-circle, but the Mali goalkeeper scrambled across to push the ball behind.

However, it was at the other end that the goalkeeping frailties were most evident as Hassen – one of three Tunisian changes – flapped at a cross in the first half before putting through his own net after the break.

Tunisia pulled level when Khazri’s set-piece took a wicked deflection. They move above Angola into the second automatic qualification spot.