ACTUALITE |
14.06.2006
Tunisia, Africa’s Hope
The Carthage eagles go on stage in Germany today.
A lot is expected from the Carthage Eagles when they take on Saudi Arabia today in Munich at 5:00pm, Cameroon time. Serenity reigns in the camp of the North Africans, especially after the Tunisian football Federation decided to renew confidence in Coach Roger Lemerre last Sunday. The coach signed a new contract to stay with the North African side until at least 2008. By renewing confidence in Lemerre, Tunisians hope the Frenchman, who was an assistant to Aime Jacquet when France won the World Cup in 1998, can also take the Carthage Eagles far into the competition. Results produced by the coach so far make them to believe so. Tunisia won their first African Nations Cup in 2004 and qualified for their fourth World Cup under Lemerre’s guidance.
Tunisians are therefore looking forward to repeat the feat of 1978, when they became the first African country to win a game at the finals of the World Cup after beating Mexico 3-1 in their very first group match. A 1-0 defeat against Poland in the next match and a goalless draw against defending champions, Germany, were however not good enough to see the North Africans through to the next round. But the victory over Mexico secured the Carthage Eagles a place in the history books just like a defeat today will make them the only African team to have won its first group match in Germany. 40-year-old Tunisian keeper, Ali Boumnijel, who doubles as the oldest player at the ongoing tournament, says his team will go far in the competition. "We have prepared well. I feel great and the atmosphere within the squad is excellent. But we’re a little nervous and eager to get things started. We can’t wait to explode into action because the hard work is behind us now. We want to express ourselves as best we can. Our training camp is good too, so I’d say the situation is almost ideal", he told reporters yesterday.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is out to set records straight. Guided by Brazilian coach, Marcos Paqueta, the three-time Asian champions will need to take all three points against their Tunisian opponents if they wish to challenge for a place in the second round. History is not on their side though, as they have lost their opening game on each of their three previous finals appearances. The Saudi team can however draw confidence from their historic success against African sides. Since 1994, when Saudi Arabia first stepped onto the FIFA World Cup stage, they have clashed with African teams on no less than 25 occasions, racking up 15 victories, six draws and losing only six matches. Their only two encounters against Tunisia both took place back in the 1980s. The sides first met in 1985 in a friendly in Tunisia, with the home team scraping a narrow 1-0 win. Three years later the Asians had their revenge, winning 1-0 on home soil. Thanks to their extensive experience against African nations, Paqueta’s men are already familiar with the technical ability and strategies employed by African teams. Today’s encounter therefore promises to produce fireworks.
|
|
Hits: 1 | Source:cameroon-tribune.cm | |
|
|
|
|
| |