ACTUALITE |
04.02.2008
Tunisia: Serious Contenders
They want to go beyond the quarter-final phase after the 2006 set-back.
After playing host to three African Cup of nations and making ten appearances at the final phase of the competition during which they grabbed the trophy once in 2004, the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia are determine to go beyond the quarter finals after stumbling in 2006 against Nigeria. With a satisfactory first phase record of five points after two draws and one victory, the Tunisians will tomorrow against the Indomitable Lions be counting on an experienced French coach, Roger Lemerre who is at his third Africa Nations Cup competition. Though he has during this competition traded insults on media men, the soft spoken and arrogant trainer is conscious of the Indomitable Lions potentials. According to him, “ Tunisia is in the circle of eight African best football nations. Playing with Cameroon is not an easy match. North African football is different from that of Africa South of the Sahara. It is based on technique and vivacity. Whereas, the play style of teams South of Sahara is based on physical strength. This will be taking care of and at the end we shall see which style carries the day.” he explained at the end of their last but one training session on Saturday.
Tunisia has a well structured team with good players, discipline on the field of play and very tactically correct. Under the auspices of veteran captain Jaidi Radhi, the team comprising of old and youthful players has not only been playing together for long, but had a very sound training programme prior to the tournament. Reasons why Brazilian born Tunisian attacker Dos Santos Silva has assured fans who turned out en mass to watch their training session that, they will fight to the last minute. “We have great respect for Cameroon. It is not going to be easy, but we can do it.” he reiterated.
Apart from goal getter Dos Santos Silva, other players to watch in the Tunisian squad include numbers 10 and 17-shirted players Zaeim Kamel and Jemaa Issam respectively.
The last time the Carthage of Tunisia clashed against the Indomitable Lions was in 2003 during the four nation’s tournament in Tunis . During the tournament, Tunisia beat Cameroon at the finals 1-0, with Samuel Eto’o missing a penalty. Since then, a lot of mutations have taken place on both sides. Within the Cameroonian camp, seven of the eleven players who took part in the encounter are still present in the Lions den, while only two Carthage Eagles are still flying the colours of Tunisia .
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Hits: 1 | Source:cameroon-tribune.cm | |
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