Call Me Crazy: I Think We’re Gonna Beat Cameroon

January 20th, 2010 | by: Rami |

CamTun1 Instead of posting a late match report, I figured we may as well delve into the heart of the matter which is our final game against Cameroon since it’s already so close. Our goalless draw versus Gabon on Sunday was yet another underwhelming performance where the final touch eluded our strikers and our build up play was practically nonexistent in the first half.

Thus, after collecting two points out of a possible six, we now have no choice but to beat the Indomitable Lions if we want to advance to the knockout stages. We hardly need to be reminded that history hasn’t been kind to us in our head to head encounters versus the West Africans at the African Cup of Nations.

Our last attempt to reverse the tendency and finally beat them came up just a tad short after 120 minutes that left everyone disappointed but also convinced that we had a solid group to build around for the future. Two years later, so much has changed: We find ourselves eliminated from the World Cup when we were mere minutes away, we’re still desperately awaiting the return of our talisman (Chikhaoui), and our youthful and inexperienced side is in full rebuilding mode under a Tunisian coach who was almost unanimously picked by the sporting public to instill a sense of pride and duty while overhauling the way we play.

For the past two years especially, it’s been really hard to be a Carthage Eagles fan. In truth, the situation has been steadily deteriorating since 2004 and now we’re on the verge of hitting rock bottom: For the first time in six years, we might exit the continental showpiece before the second round…

Beating Cameroon is something we haven’t been able to do even with some of our strongest teams and this one is hardly that. Our players haven’t been found wanting in effort or desire but the lack of adequate preparation time has shown on the pitch.

As if that wasn’t enough, we haven’t even been spared the wrath of the injury bug which continues to bite our most promising players just when we need them most. It’s confirmed that both Ousemma Darragi and Youssef Msakni will not pass fit for this game. The former might even face a lengthy spell on the sidelines as the tendinitis in his achilles subsides.

But why is that even with all of these factors combined I find myself strangely optimistic about Thursday? Am I delusional?

Well, I have a confession: In the leadup to our decisive World Cup qualifier versus Mozambique in Maputo I tried to hide my worst fears from everyone, including myself. I didn’t voice it but the doubt began when Nigeria managed that last second win over the Mambas in Abuja to stay in the race for the ticket to SA. The way it happened, how our players thought they had qualified at the end of the Kenya match only to realize that they jumped the gun with their celebrations. How the possibility of such an epic collapse loomed over us for a month before the day it all fell apart. How a colleague brought me a banjo back from Mozambique when she traveled there and I thought to myself “maybe I’ll play the blues on it when they eliminate us” (true story). How everywhere I looked I saw something somehow related to Mozambique. How I would lose most of the matches I would play in FIFA or PES where I was pretending it was that final game. It was downright eerie.

But now, for no particular reason at all other than my gut instinct, I think we’re going to get our win somehow or another on Thursday. It hardly makes any sense considering our situation (injuries, not having a cohesive team yet, the media putting undue pressure on the side and certain players etc.) but I see it happening.

Am I setting myself up for a huge disappointment? Not really. Maybe some embarrassment because I’m making this public I guess (especially if we end up getting crushed). But not true and utter disappointment because before the tournament began all I asked of this team was that they show heart which is something they’ve been doing and will continue to do just by virtue of Benzarti being our coach.

Contrast that with the build up to our final qualifier a few months back where I obsessed about the possibility of failure and my position might be more understandable. I practically begged our team to win so that I could see them at the World Cup live in the flesh. I feared the loss. We feared the loss. This time there’s nothing to fear, exiting at this point seems all too logical considering our current situation. We’re supposed to lose. But that is precisely why I think we won’t (see the paradox?).

Forgive me if my logic (if you can even call it that) seems convoluted or nonsensical. I just see it happening. I even predicted we’d lose in my Goal.com preview just so it would directly mirror my prediction of us qualifying for the World Cup (yup, I went there).

Another reason for my optimism is that we won’t be waiting on any other results like we were in Maputo. Back then, in some scenarios, a draw could have qualified us. Now it’s win or go home and I think that’s going to make a big difference. No one will be running down the sideline waving the score of the other match at our players (ahem ahem Coelho).

Ok now that that’s off my chest…

Possible Lineup

With Darragi and Msekni sidelined through injury and Berradhia suspended due to yellow card accumulation we’re likely going to see the incorporation of Chaouki Ben Saada, Issam Jemaa, and Khaled Soussi in those respective positions. There are some other reports indicating that Benzarti is considering starting Radhouane Felhi on the right. Meanwhile, Some are calling for Mrabet to go in as a third defensive midfielder who can venture forward more than Korbi or Ragued… Right now the only decision I’m utterly convinced by is putting Chaouki in from the get go. Arguably the best match he’s ever had in the NT was against Cameroon two years ago. True he had Chikhaoui to draw lots of attention but this time him and Zou are going to have to create danger and find the holes that Rigobert Song will undoubtedly leave in central defense. It’s up to us to know how to utilize that space. Whether we’ll be starting Chermiti or Akaichi is not yet clear either…

Kickoff Time (17:00 Tunisia Time, 11:00 EST)

Where To Watch? Check here for recap.

What They’re Saying? Here’s what Cameroonian players think of us.

And I’d be amiss if I didn’t say: FORZA TOUNES!

Tunisia World Cup Team Blog RSS Feed

MRTounes

I have the same feeling Cameroon isn’t that good they are worse than Gabon And they didn’t play well against Zambia they were lucky! we sure have a chance!
fahd

Hi Rami,

Nice and Optimistic, MR Benzarti would love this ( sa7afa dima positive) ;0)

Anyway I share your feeling to. Cameroun is to be hones to fear the least. WHY you say? Well the following.

Cameroon has not shown anything over the last 8 Years!!!! there are only stars that should be in the elderly homes.

Their defence is very OLD and SLOW. If we just play with GRINTA we will outrun the shit of them without touching one single bal.

However every chance we get we need to convert into a goal. Eto just needs one chance so we need to make sure Chermiti get 10 chances and he will score one I hope.

INSHALLAH marbou7a ya rab
nkem

Rami, I just knew that you guys were scared to travel to MAPUTO, anyway thanks for the confession i really enjoyed it. Talking about Mozambique, i really hope that we come out victorious regardless of how we will play today.

Goodluck to all and i hope that tunisia wins so that we can face each other again.
fahd

Voor de nederlands sprekende Tunesiers.

Waaar gaan we de match Bekijkn??
Rachid

I totally share your optimism for no unknown reasons as well! It’s just a feeling that I’ve had. I truly believe we are going to qualify as 2nd in the group, just because we will be the ones eliminating Egypt! The theory I’ve had is that Egypt won in 2006 and in 2008 without having to face a North African side. We were about to play them in 2006, but Roger Lemerre took us on a different path by having us lose our 3rd game to Guinea (as you may recall). Anyway, none of this means I don’t want Egypt to win it all, I do because they deserve it, but it’s just a “theory” that I’ve had. Finally, win or lose, I think Benzarti did all he could given the circumstances, and we need to appreciate his efforts. Good luck!!!
Abdullah

I have the exact same feeling lol, but i try not to think about it that much cause i don’t want to Jinx it.

All of a sudden i’ve turned superstitious
http://egypt.worldcupblog.org Tamim

Rachid: we played against Libya and Morocco in 2006
MRTounes

fahd ALLE afrika cup matches worden gwn op Eurosport uitgezenden dat zit gwn by je kabel tv.

I hate egypt i hope we will beat them i have many egypt friends who are irritating me the whole time every time that egypt wins and when tunisia loses. I hope we can teach them a lesson since the weakness of egypt is north african teams
Achraf

Ben Saada will bring a lot to this team when we play tomorrow, he knows Cameroon really well and he has great vision to break their line with his passes. Hopefully he will be the one that gets the ball to Chermiti or Jemaa. BTW Jemaa needs to play soccer when he is on the field, he always is frustrated at his teammates and finding excuses. That chance that he had against Gabon he said that Dhouadi crossed it too hard for him. Thats how its supposed to be so the defenders don’t stop it.

But Inchallah marbouha ya rabi!!!!!!!!!!!
Abdullah

The crosses are benefitial, i really hope Dhaouadi comes through because if Chermiti starts and Ben Saada too, i can guarantee you it will be raining chances for him, the only question remains is what is our whole mf gonna look like and how many forwards we’re gonna use

I trust in Benzarti and my expectations are quite neutral
Achraf

Here is a preview on ESPN, and the Cameroon side is looking to pressure our defense and not wait like they did against Zambia. But they might be missing Samuel Eto’o as he missed training twice this week.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=285652&cc=5901
http://tunisia.worldcupblog.org Rami

Nkem, it’s looking good so far for ya. Great Odemwingie goal (not watching the match, just saw the goal)

I’m glad to see some of you share my optimism. I was expecting to be ridiculed for this outlook but I hid my true feelings before Mozambique and thought that I won’t hide them this time and maybe the result will be different lol. We’ll see, losing this won’t hurt as much as the World Cup if it happens anyway but I really do believe what I wrote in the post. I just have this feeling and it runs counter to most logic and circumstances we’re in. It’s a Cup match for us, and anything can happen in a cup match

Rachid, exactly. Us facing Egypt is also another reason I think it’s going to happen. It seems destined. We’ll know soon enough if we’re right or wrong about this.

I know people have sharp opinions about Chiboub one way or another but I actually think that he summed up the situation quite accurately with this interview: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1336153688773&ref=share
Nabil

Noway in hell we win.

Love the optimism, would give anything for a victory but in football it’s quite simple you can’t win if you don’t score. Even with Darragi and Mksakni our attack has yet to find any rhythm and in their absence I simply do not see us scoring tomorrow against the Indomitable Lions.

Don’t let Cameroon early ANC form fool you, their bad start is based on Le guen odd decision to only have 5 days preparation for the ANC. Predictably it blew up in their faces but a little luck against Zambia has put Cameroon in the drivers seat. With the likes of Eto’o and Alex Song Cameroon have the quality to rise their game significantly over the next 11 days and win the ANC.

Hope I’m wrong but I’d be shocked if Cameroon do not win at least 2-0.
Achraf

9adesh Negative ya Nabil, shbeek Negative!!!!!LOL
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/video/video.php?v=104989912853455&ref=mf
Abdullah

hahaha Achraf, that was hilarious
Nabil

Not negative khouyah simply realistic.

Reminds me of the 2002 ANC in Mali.

Scgolio resigned, brought in Reckhard qualified for WC, tossed out Reckhard brought in Henri Michel and the results were

0-0 Vs Zambia
0-1 vs Masr
0-0 vs Senegal

At any level you can’t win if you don’t score.

We’re still nowhere near finding any fluidity under Benzarti and even when we do crate chances our strikers have simply failed to deliver.

Anything is possible but Cameroon are still one of the elite NT in CAF, they only need a draw and they have yet to produce the type of football they’re more than capable of.

comparisons to the last time we played Cameroon are pointless as that team had quality threats in Dos Santos and Chika.

Tunisians need to be realistic, new manager just 5 weeks in, no Darragi or Mksakni…uphill battle to say the least.
http://tunisia.worldcupblog.org Rami

le le enti negativ Nabil fhentella!

I def see the objective standpoint. It makes so much sense we’re supposed to lose that i dont think we’re actually gonna lose lol. its strangely liberating i feel i hope our players feel the same way somehow and then put forth a match full of desire and grinta. win or lose, they did plenty in this CAN that we can be proud of considering the circumstances.
Nabil

Unlike the last three games under Cohelo I do not feel this team is held down by mental frailty. IMO the desire and effort is there but as it stands now the quality is not.

All the teams that have advance to the qt finals thus far i.e Anggola, Algeria, CIV, Ghana, Masr, Nigeria etc
Have not only quality on their side but most importantly continuity.

From the manager to the players basically the same squads for months if not years.

This why it makes sick to watch stade7 and the vast majority of ANC programs in Tunisia, sadly we have a nation full of people whom know diddle squat about football.

“Oh Haggui dates women that is why we did not beat Zambia and Gabon”

Gee…What brilliant insight, wonder what “gems” will get from the media and fans after tomorrows game?
Tahar

Rami and Nabil, I think the keyword to sum things up is “3waj”.
1. We can see a hell of a lot of 3waj with the majority of the press, and the “cha3b” in general as they are bringing up reasons to blame the squad “mil hit” (haha or out of thin air).
2. I can kind of see Rami’s angle, when he says we can win. I mean Tunisia is a country that runs on 3waj. We win when we should lose, We lose when we should win. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30827163&op=1&o=global&view=global&subj=74879640493&id=1431103319 Just for a few examples.
Achraf

Wow, I am watching Stade 7 on sopcast live right now and Bensaada will not start tomorrow. here is the line up for tomorrow.
—————-Balbouli—————
Souissi—-Hagui——-Jmel—-Mikari—
———–Ragued—–Korbi————-
Dhouadi———Nafkha——Jemaa—–
————-Chermiti——————

I dont know about this line up! I am surprised of Nafkha starting instead of Bensaada!
tounsi

That line up is not so bad..but if chermiti fails to create danger then he should be replaced by akaichi in the 2nd half..

I really hope HAGGUI would have a good match against eto’o tomorrow. its gonna be though but maybe just maybe..
Rachid

That looks just about right, given what’s available. Remember Benzarti coached l’Etoile and knows Nafkha quite well. I have not seen Chermiti play as well as he did under Benzarti for a while. I’m still hopeful we’re going to kick some ass and take some names come tomorrow. KEEP HOPE ALIVE!!!
naija4sure

if tunisia wins tomorrow…i’ll be surprised…u guys meet the lions in a do or die affair…..its not gonna be easy expecially when u guys needs a win to progress….wish the better team good luck….lastly,nigeria awaits either tunisia or cameroon in the quarter final stage…..
kepeh yoyo

hey Rami, I am Cameroonian and I admire your optimism ,however , what I admire most is your writing. I think you wrote a very nice article and even though I do hope your wishes don’t come true, I kept on reading. nice one.
http://tunisia.worldcupblog.org Rami

Tahar, ridiculous pic man!

Achraf, yea I saw the show tonight. Nafkha sounded pretty motivated. Some funny moments when he just answered the question short without really expounding on the point. I kinda liked that. He’s just like we’re gonna play pure and simple. Hope that proves true. Also was very impressed with Patrick Mboma and Roger Milla’s assessments of the situation. Both very articulate and frank. Really a credit to Cameroonian football that not only were they great players on the pitch, they’re class acts off of it.

Tounsi, some optimism from you! Hehe, hopefully you push us over the edge by contributing some of your mental powers to us winning hehe.

Rachid, that’s the spirit!!

Naija4sure, I hope you get surprised then

Kepeh Yoyo, thank you my friend. I appreciate that Enjoy the match and que le meilleur gagne!

Man, I can’t wait!
thamer

nafkha and chermiti play really well together so thats probably a factor, but ben saada should still start and ragued should simply leave angola. we’re actually playing with 10 men on offense when hes on the pitch, nafkha should take his spot, ben saada and dhaouadi in midfield and chermiti and akaichi up front, thats the only way were going to win, i think.
Adam

OK….first of id like to thank Rami for keeping this blog updated, its first time i make a post even though i have been following this wevbsite for a very long time, im just a kid writing from england, and i have to say that for the past couple of years there has been alot of heartache with the tunisian squad, but have always remained a true fan to my country, when we lost in maputo the emotions i felt were incredible, but i was never to sure of reaching and maybe it was betetr to not go to world cup has we have alot to work on, but with what benzarti has done is incredible, the talent is there it jsut needs to be sculpted, ive been locked into Stade 7 everyday and enjoyed eharing the views of what will happen, ino this post is a bit long winded but i must say that for the past 2 days i have been waking up with a very good feeling today, i dont want to jinx it and believe in the feeling to much as a lose or draw today will dissapoint me, but just know that we have more then enough to beat the lions even though they are betetr then us on paper…. nchallah marbouuuhaaaa!!!!

forza tunis
imen

yaa rabi…y isit tunis always break our hearts, tunisian fans love their country and football team alottttttt so when they lose, the pain that we feel is unbarable and it lasts for a long time, i still haven gotten ove tunisia going out the world cup, goodd i jus really hope tunis win today..plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Achraf

Inchallah marbouha ya Rabi!!
I wont be commenting during the match cause I will be watching at a Tunisian Cafe in Washington, DC, Hopefully there will be no glass throwing or anything and just come out with a win!!
http://www.fucktounes.com Mr Masr

Tounisia is going to loseeeeeeeeeee. You are all losers. O My God your team is sooooo bad. Just face it, Egypt is going to win AGAIN!!!! Yalla Ya Masr!
Hatim

Achraf whats the name of the cafe?
http://www.malawi.worldcupblog.org sscouser

Rami, Good Luck! It’s win or join us (Malawi).
Abdullah

FUCK YES!
bahaa

Rami great job so far good luck… Please ignore that idiots comments..
MRTounes

1-0 till now but horrible playstile
Nabil

HT Cameroon 0-1 Tunis

Cameroon dominating possession but best chances have fallen to Tunisia.

inshAllah zina…
Rachid

As it currently stands, Tunisia and Zambia to advance!
Nabil

Babouli really should have been sent off.

Very fortunate, not sure what the hell he was thinking.

Damn if Darragi and Mkskani were playing this game would over. A very rigid Cameroon, definitely there for the taking, just need a bit more quality in our movement, first touch and final ball.
Abdullah

we cant keep playing like this, it will go from good to bad to worse, slap them pls Benzarti!
Ramzey

Guys i just got in. How did our boys do in the first half?
Abdullah

They started good, provocing freekicks good passing, but after 20 mins they started sitting back and Mikari even wasted a chance for the 2-0.

I can’t bare to watch us wait for them to attack us.
MRTounes

1-1 shit
Nabil

Nothing to lose now.

Just have to go for it.
http://gabon.worldcupblog.org Matt

So if I am reading this right, if it ends 1-1 and Zambia beat Gabon 1-0,

Zambia would win group, Gabon second?
Nabil

YEAHHHHHHHHHHH

2-1

Own goal but we’ll take it.
Nabil

2-2

ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Ramzey

shiiiiiiiitttttttt
Abdullah

F*CK Jemaa, worthless horrible, TERRIBLE MOST USELESS PLAYER EVER!

props to our boys, we know they tried their best.
Nabil

Can’t fault the desire but a natiion such as Tunis can’t overcome the quality gap sans Darragi, Mkskani and Chika.

Just a shame we were able to some how nick two goals but our defense fall apart when it mattered most.
Abdullah

Ragued was proper, Korbi yet again proves to have no other qualities than how the Dutch commentator called it ” bring some poison to the fight, a bit too much “.

Jemal needs to focus more, and Mikari couldn’t cope with the pressure of the massive loss of ball possesion on midfield (wich was caused by) Jemaa and Korbi.

I’m tired and i hope i will be able to sleep well.
MRTounes

korbi load of crap
Nabil

Yeah Ragued and Korbi at the moment are unable to match the efficiency and quality of Bouazizi and Nafti but that will come with experience.

That said Cameroon were very rigid and predictable, I truly believe with Darragi and Mksakni we would have win rather comfortably.
Abdullah

And whoever said Chermiti should be thrown out if he doesnt score, imo has no eye for the game.

The guy did what he was asked and always has done, he just has to have the ball in front of goal, the man is always in positions and has immense runcapacities and today i really saw that it was not him below his performancelevel but his teammates.
Adam

biggest dissapointment, after that 1 minute goal i thought it could of been ours, im shaking with anger but more with dissapointment, i don’t think il be able to speak to anyone for a week without lashing out, players lacked discipline in areas, terrible way to end the day, a match i been looking forward to all week…
Hany

Hard Luck guys, two good things out of this tournament:

1- You now have an excellent young squad that can only get better.

2- You are undefeated, so whichever way you take it, none of the teams that qualified are better than you.

Wish us Luck!
Nabil

Really did not feel we had much of a chance sans Darragi and Mkskani.

Just did not have the quality to take the game to a frankly mediocre Cameroon.

Really did not give other Jemma or Chermiti much if any quality service, just a few long balls here and there.
Obinna

Tough luck on Tunisia, but a very spirited performance. It would have been good for this team to progress. They were getting better and better. Their time will come, as they are still quite young. I hope the coach is allowed to remain in order to maintain continuity. If Tunisia had won, my country (Nigeria) would have been the next opponents, and it would’ve been an interesting match. I was looking forward to it. Anyway, wishing you guys better luck next time, even as I’ll be waiting to see how CAF decides the classification of Zambia and Cameroun.
lazar

well at least they tried their best and almost pulled a result without darragi and msakni….. but its ok i mean like everyone said its a very young inexperienced side…. give it a couple more years and with chikhaoui and i think this will be a really dangerous squad inchallah…. anyways time to root for my other fav african teams, cote d’ivoire and algeria….. too bad their playing agianst each other lol
Iness

Nobody mentioned the referee! I think he was a bit unfair! Quite a huge bit! Still well done Tunisia you played with heart ! I’m Algerian and I felt for you more than for my own team these days ! I wish you won!
Feedi

Good luck Egypt and good luck Hany.
Adam

its true there are a few positiv aspects to take with us away from this game, we played with spirit it was just a shame,

Obinna, nigeria and tunisia have very good history in the africans cup and have produced some excellent matches, shame we didn’t qualify but i hope that nigeria beats cameroon
lazar

i didnt watch the whole match but from what i heard he was a D bag… i mean 6 yellow cards? and i heard he was totally on cameroons side….
Bassem

Please every one look at the bright side of it, we didn’t lose any match at all, we played a good last match against a big Lion, and we played our heart out till we saw blood ( Karim knows ) on the shirt of our players.

So i realy don’t mind going out like this, rather draw and go home then lose against a hungry Nigiria or even worse a much more experienced Egypte.

So now we have a lot of young players with a African Cup of Nations experience and we can build our team up new.

Don’t forget if you want to judge the ref, that he was able to give Balbouli a red one after his hands ball.
We lost it against Gabon where we needed to win.
http://tunisia.worldcupblog.org Rami

Yea, the ref made mistakes both ways, I have no issues with him. Thanks to everyone that commented and who’s been following the blog. Sorry I can’t respond to each of you individually right now but really appreciate the fantastic support and the constant interest.

Tunisia has nothing to be ashamed of today or for the tournament. Building a team takes time and considering the circumstances we did fine. We left it all on the pitch today and that’s what’s most important. Let’s hope Faouzi gets his long term contract, I see us doing big things in the future if we give him the time and resources to work with.

Tounes Dima Kbira our rasna dima 3ali!

Best of luck to Cameroon in the rest of the tournament and especially to Egypt and Algeria. Naija as well of course, I want to see this team do better in the future and be in form during the World Cup. Everyone really, African football is just the best. So much passion, so much skill and always plenty of drama. It’s too bad we’re leaving early but at least we do it heads held high. Cheers everyone, I’ll report on the match in the coming days…
moni

in my opinion faouzi Benzari, made some serieus tactical erors, during the whole tournament.

I know that everybody want to be optimistic but to be honoust, how can you play Korbi and ragued , if you have the likes of Mrabet and Nafkha ??

Also playing Jemaa as a midfielder/playmaker in the last match was a big mistake

he changed to late the players chermiti -out aakachi- in

It is the same story, like the era after CAN 2008
“yeah we have a nice squad that can improve more bla bla bla”
Nabil

Moni did you watch Nafkha?? Dude could hardly run after 50 minutes. Can’t trust Mrabet and Nafkha to last an hour let alone 90 minutes.

Time for much needed pragmatism from Tounsi’s. Sadly we’re not a nation laden with quality. We have to face the facts that when we walk into a must win game sans the the likes of Darragi, Mksakni and Chika there will be dramatic and drastic drop in the quality of our football.

Suffive to say we”re not Spain whom can lode a Iniesta and yet call upon a Cesc Fabregas.
realjsk

Most of the players gave it all they got today. But Mikari and Nafkha are irrelevant today.
alex

Is this the end of the Tunisia WC blog?
Bassem

Why? ALex? Explain your question…. instead of asking gibrish questions.
skander

i’m so scared that they will sack benzarti, i hope not. if they do, i think the NT will go steps backwards….
http://tunisia.worldcupblog.org Rami

Alex, the answer is a resounding NO!

Skander, the messed up thing is that they can’t sack him since they never hired him (no contract). But I’m also worried they won’t offer him the job in July… Knowing the FTF, I don’t put anything past them.
http://tunisia.worldcupblog.org Rami

Here we go for more frustration and heartache. Better not happen: http://www.francefootball.fr/FF/breves2010/20100122_001504_baup-tente-par-la-tunisie.html
Tahar

They did a good job of hiding it. Plus a few other Tunisian names were in there.
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=105052649513848&ref=mf
Achraf

I want to congratulate our men, because they really showed everything they got. They showed heart, blood, sweat, and Grinta and that is what I wanted to see. We were just missing that playmaker in the middle (Darragi or a Chikha type of player). Hopefully we can get better from here and not worse. I am Behind Benzarti 100% and really wish he gets that 4 year contract.

When I was watching at the Cafe in DC/VA area, I have never seen so much excitment in a soccer game, there was yelling cheering all of it. But at the end all the guys were happy with the NT and everyone said that this is good for the future.
Abdullah

Let the Moroccans have him, I STAND BY BENZARTI UNTILL AFTER 2012!

RISE UP TUNISIANS AND STOP TAKING THIS BULLCRAP, WHO WILL OUR BOYS LOOK UP TO MORE THAN BENZARTI WHO IS BRINGING UP YOUNGSTERS FROM EVERYWHERE AND LETTING THEM PLAY AND TRUSTING THEM?

WHO ELSE WILL BRING THIS KIND OF MOTIVATION FOR ALL THE PUBLIC AND RISING YOUNG PLAYERS MORE THAN HIM??!?!?!
http://tunisia.worldcupblog.org Rami

This Federal Bureau should not have the right to dictate our future. It’s a sham. They’re going to do the same thing that Sioud did before leaving. Do us all a favor and RESIGN NOW!!! Everyone just resign and save what little honor you have left. They make me sick.
skander

if they hire this french coach he will do as coelho, let the tunisian ´benchwarmers in europe play and he won’t give a damn about tunisia or what’s best for us. he’ll just make money and make use of the bitch FTF and leave the problems to us. if they don’t hand benzarti the contract…
Abdullah

We should make an online petition.
Achraf

Theres already a group on facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=434124625345&ref=mf
http://tunisia.worldcupblog.org Rami

Yea, I joined yesterday afternoon. I hope people in Tunisia don’t let this happen.
Achraf

Please Let Benzarti STAY!!
Yesterday he was on NESS EL CAN and his answers look like he is not coming back to the NT.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/video/video.php?v=107252829290464&ref=mf
Nabil

Was always massive risk for Benzarti to take over the NT just weeks after our WC meltdown.

Should have let the NT go down n flames in Angola than take over after wards in order to rebuild for 2012.

Media and fans are too stupid to show any patience, demanded immediate results and predictably when they did not come the outcry against Benzarti would be enormous.

Said before the ANC that failure to qualify for the qt finals would lead to such stupidity, said this could be our last ANC for 5-10 years and sadly Tunisia never fails to live up to my low expectations.

We’re heading back to the 1980’s lads.

New manager every few years , players in and out of the squad, no cohesion, no continuity, no organization, leadership, vision just one quick fix solution to the next and one disgrace after another.

Dark era is upon us lads, it’s been coming since the lead up to the 2006 WC, incompetence and nepotism that runs the hierarchy of Tunisian football was eventually going to effect the NT and sadly the chickens have come home to roost.

Our last hiatus lasted from 1980-1995 so I guess we can all look forward to a decent NT by 2025.

How depressing.
Adam

I hope the frenchman doesn’t come to tunisia, why is the federation so stubborn that they cannot see the prospect they have infront of them? the team i seen play against the lions yesterday have a very big future…
http://tunisia.worldcupblog.org Rami

They can’t stand Faouzi. He’s too strong a personality for those incompetent fools. What he says goes and they know it. I hope the outcry is so massive that they eventually do dissolve this so called federation. They’re making a mockery of our ambitions. Once we wipe the slate clean maybe we’ll see people who know football running the show. Instead right now we have people with connections and nothing else. Even their business acumen, which is supposed to be their strong suit, is questionable.
Abdullah

It’s hard not to involve politics in this matter, that beeing said you all know what i’m thinking.
http://tunisia.worldcupblog.org Rami

Yup…

http://www.goal.com/en/news/89/africa/2010/01/22/1757000/elie-baup-linked-with-tunisia-job-report
Achraf

Every Football site has rumors of Baup coming to Tunisia. He has never even coached a natiional team before. That shows how stupic the FTF is and they just need to go and resign. Bring Youssef Zouaoui as the head of the FTF, He understands football and was at that position before. I just want Benzarti to stay!!
bahaa

Hard luck rami. you guys have a very talented team. Just need a little more experience and they will show all Africa. I think you guys probably should have included some more experienced playes in the squad but these young guys did a great job they came very close to qualifying and have gained tons of experience… we’ll take care of cameroon for you inshalla
http://tunisia.worldcupblog.org Rami

Thanks Bahaa, I’m looking forward to that match and will be pulling for an Egyptian win. You have a psychological edge over them for obvious reasons, even Roger Milla when he was on Tunisian TV was singing Egypt’s praises and saying that when it comes to Africa they know how to impose their will. I’ll be pulling for you

Achraf, I can’t wait to see whether they discuss this on Stade 7. I hope Fethi El Mouldi goes crazy. I know Hannibal TV’s folks won’t miss an opportunity to talk about it either… It’s a real shame that this is even being considered as an option. Kamel Ben Amor and his cronies are clueless. How much longer will they drag our name through the mud?!
http://tunisia.worldcupblog.org Rami

Ok, they’re saying maybe its old news now. I had a suspicion as well but assumed that he was re-contacted. Hopefully Mourad is right: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=104035722951813&ref=mf
Rachid

To remove Benzarti would be a tragedy! Let’s please do our part from afar and demand they keep him with a long-term contract. Let’s write a collective letter to whomever is willing to listen! Anyone with half a brain should know Benzarti has made significant progress. They are using totally unrealistic measures to evaluate what he’s done. What he actually did is save the NT from the abyss. Now that he’s done that, they want to use him again as a scapegoat, hire another European, and go on pretending all is well. Screw them all; they make me sick!
skander

yeah rachid so true, i’m getting so impatient too, but i felt somehow relieved when they interviewed kamel ben amor in the airport of tunis, asking him whether they (FTF) have intentions on giving benzarti a contract or not and he answered “yes, we hope so” from Stade 7 today. But we don’t know if it’s coming from his heart.
Nabil

Totally agree Rachid.

In hindsight Benzarti should have never accepted the job without at a contract signed until 2012.

Sadly though it’s as Rami stated ego’s of certain bureaucrats whom can’t stand having anyone dare put them in their place.

If it can happen to Tarek Dihab it can happen to anyone.

What is clear is that the FTF do not simply want the NT to excel but excel on their terms. They would rather the NT fail for years than have one that excels under someone like Benzarti. A successful era under Benzarti sets a very dangerous precedent for the powers that be in the FTF.
Alex

@Bassem it’s spelled gibberish not gibrish…
The reason I asked the question is the header on the web site says that it’s about 2010. We really don’t have anything left for us in 2010, so the question seemed obvious. I wasn’t making any comment on Rami’s work which is excellent, and I hope to keep on reading it for years to come.
Rachid

This site says a lot about Tunisia and Tunisians, their love for the game, and how when given the opportunity we excel at what we do. I’m not just being foolish, but this is true in almost every field. That’s what distinguishes Tunisians. Arguably, Rami writes one of the most balanced, thoughtful, and thorough analyses you can ever find, especially on the African scene. So, why stop a good thing? Just because we’re out of the CAN does not mean we’re dead. Life goes on, there will be other days, and as we have done in the past WE WILL BE BACK! I hope the same force that swiftly rid us of Coelho will act again in the same manner, this time to instill Benzarti as the NT manager that will transform the team. We do not want another foreigner running the show, simply because great players like Dhaouadi may never get their chance. People are no longer satisfied with half-assed solutions, and if the people in charge insist on doing business as usual, we need to make them know we do not want to be taken for fools. “Fool me once, and shame on you; fool me twice, and shame on me!”
Achraf

Very True Rachid, When I saw the last two times we went out in Round one of CAN 1994 and 2002 the following CAN we were in the Final! 1996 we were Runner up and in 2004 we were the Champs. Hopefully after this years first round exit we will come back in 2012 in the Finals!!
Sami

What can i say, where did this rumour even got started? Even though Tunisia didn’t qualify for the next round they didn’t lose any games and they played much better than under Coelho. Hopefully what Rachid said won’t happen. Never saw Tunisia had a coach that good since late 90’s.

Mounir and/or Skander do you know any Tunisians or Swedens of Tunisian descent who play floorball?
tounsi

Ajax has a eye on nassim ben khalifa, its not a bad idea to go there..dutch competition is the perfect bridge to go to the top..
Achraf

Yea Tounsi even Inter Milan has an eye on him and even offered him 6 million euros but I dont know if he accepted or not.

Also Akaichi could be going to Young Boys.

I know this time of year there are a lot of rumors about african players after the amount of scouts they had at the CAN. Hopefully our boys will make smart decisions!
Bassem

@Alex, you know what i meant so its clear for you i think, i don’t give a rats ass how its speld i’am not an English man, i think its good enough the way i write to understand for you and others. And again stop asking questions when you know the answer. If you where smart enough you knew that this blog is not only for WC but for Tunisians also playing abroard and other issues concerning the national squad. So your question had a rather nasty taste on it. SO keep those questions away. As you can see we all have enough to discus about. If you don;t have imput thats usefull stay away, or go eat some more sushi to blow some more sense in to your brain, maby then questions like that will stick to your own mind.
Rachid

A “wise” man once said “can’t we all just get along?”. Come on guys, keep your sense of humor and let’s not be so confrontational. In a way, I’m the way to blame for introducing that word here, and Bassem has been using it ever since (glad you like it!, just kidding of course). Great day everyone!
Abdullah

Groups for qualification of the CAN 2012

Group 1: Côte d’Ivoire, Congo, Madagascar, Sao Tome e Principe

Group 2: Nigeria, Cape Verde Islands, Lesotho, Central African Republic

Group 3: Cameroon, Gambia, Burundi, Guinea-Bissau

Group 4: Algeria, Senegal, Chad, Djibouti

Group 5: Egypt, South Africa, Swaziland, Somalia

Group 6: Ghana, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Mauritius

Group 7: Tunisia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Seychelles

Group 8: Mali, Rwanda, Botswana, Comoros

Group 9: Burkina Faso, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Eritrea

Group 10: Zambia, Guinea, Libya, Niger

Group 11: Benin, Morocco, Congo DR, Mauritania

Group 12: Angola, Malawi, Namibia, Liberia

Group 13: Mozambique, Togo, Tanzania
Rachid

Seychelles again! That guarantees Jomaa will score lots of goals. The problem is that he fails to do so against real opponents and in games where a goal is priceless! Cannot believe he missed that wonderful cross from Dhaoudi against Gabon! But, no use crying over spilt milk.
tounsi

abdennour had a though match against robben..pff incredible free kick from robben!

but abdenour looks ‘old’ man..is he really 20?
Abdullah

Yea he does look older than he really is, he had a decent match though, i think he could really bring something to the NT it’s gonna be a tough fight between Mikari and him.
Achraf

Good work Abdullah, they have the groups out already for 2012 CAN? Where did you find this?

If this is true, it looks like an easy group but thats what we said about the last one when Burkina Fason won our group and we barley made it. But really non of these teams were at the CAN this year.

And I think if we are going to have 2 really good left backs the best thing is to play Mikari at his postion in midfields where he plays it well in Sochaux and have Abdennour and Chammem fight for the left back.
Abdullah

Someone posted it on a Dutch forum, i actually have no idea if it’s reliable at all, i hope it is though
yahya

inchallah bon courage
fawzi benzarti doit reste a 2012
Achraf

I appreciate how Faouzi Benzarti came to Stade 7 last night live to answer questions and give some comments, that just show how professional he is. Even Moez said that we had never had a NT coach who came live after poor results.
Abdullah

Honestly we shouldn’t be surprised about such a thing Achraf(not saying you are) but some are still getting used to that, and with that i mean seeing a coach who cares just as much as we do and probably even more.

And thats what we need, and the FTF decides to sack him for another frenchman or any other coach in that case, then what Nabil previously predicted IS GONNA HAPPEN!

The level of our National Competition/Team will drop, as well as morale in the whole country and the FTF will continue to search for ” short term solutions ” that will satisfy only ” their needs “.
thamer

im surprised that a lot of tunisians are actually being reasonable and want benzarti to stay. its as if they understand that he needs time to get the results we want. not something tunisians are known for. he has my full vote of confidence, and im sure if he’s our coach from now until 2014 great things will happen for us.

in other news, henri bienvenue went to young boys in switzerland which probably means that khaled ayari will start now. good news for the national team.
Abdullah

Benachour played his 2nd consecutive match against Real Madrid today
Abdullah

correction* 2nd consecutive FULL match.
skander

Did he play well?
http://freddy.freddy.uk Masrrrrr 4 Life

Tunisia is out of the game!!!!!! Why are you still talking here. They are out of the tournament!!! I’m so happy right now, i just can’t describe how good I feel right now. Gladly, Egypt is now at the Semi Finals. Egypt is going to win. Yalla Shag3 Masr!
lazar

keep talking…. algeria is gonna whoop that ass… again! lol
thamer

we’ll see if egypt even qualify for the CAN in 4 years when all your players are mummys.
Achraf

We really need the FTF gone NOW!!! Another coach has been contacted by the FTF and it is a coach with know international experience. He is the current Stade Tunisien coach Patrick Liewig. Who can do something about this and get the whole FTF people gone, will Ben Ali need to take action or what?

If they do hire someone other than a Tunisian coach they will be losing a lot of supporters. Clearly the whole country is behind Faouzi Benzarti despite the First Round exit and his anger at the press! Does the FTF not watch what is going on?
http://www.mosaiquefm.net/index/a/ActuDetail/Element/9504-Patrick-Liewig-nouveau-s%C3%A9lectionneur-de-l-EN.html

I JUST HOPE THIS IS NOT TRUE!!
skander

ina3n din rab el FTF and that fucking bitch ben amor, i hope he drops dead. fuckin pussies… AND masr for life, your people are bitches and your team average are about 32 so stop talking your bitch ass.
Appie

Na3n zok om Masr
skander

they talk like bitches, what a dialect, unbelivable. i can’t understand what the hell the fucking FTF are doing?. can’t they just put benzarti in, or are they too scared of him. they know that their bitch system won’t work on benzarti.
Achraf

I am sorry to hear that Faouzi Benzarti is sick and is not reporting to the Esperance training before their big game against CS Sfaxien. He deserves some rest after a hard working year especially the last month with CAN and the media. I wish him the best and I think that becoming the NT coach is better then coaching a club because with the NT you get plenty of rest and more family time, and he should really push to coach the NT and Esperance better let him go, this is if the stupid FTF decide to listen to the 10million Tunisians!
Achraf

http://www.infosfoot.net/fr/articles/article.php?id_article=3038
Nabil

FTF will use Benzarti health as an excuse not to grant him a new contract, they will hire another foreign manager and it will usher in a another dark era for the NT.

I expect another calamitous age for the NT, very reminiscent of the post Chetali era.

# Tunisia Hameur Hizem 1978–79
# Tunisia Ahmed Dhib 1979–80
# Tunisia Hameur Hizem 1980–81
# PolandRyszard Kulesza 1981–83
# Tunisia Youssef Zouaoui 1984–86
# France Jean Vincent 1986–87
# Tunisia Taoufik Ben Othman 1987–88
# Poland Antoni Piechniczek 1988
# Tunisia Mokhtar Tlili 1988–89
# Poland Antoni Piechniczek 1989
# Tunisia Mrad Moujab 1989-93
# Tunisia Youssef Zouaoui 1993–94

In less than 20 years we had around a dozen managers of the NT and did not quality for a single ANC or World Cup.

Damn shame but really it was too much to expect a good thing to last esp in a nation as self destructive as Tunisia. Top to bottom it’s a nation that put’s nepotism and ego over quality and competence. Was simply a matter of time before that plague infected football.

Truly believe Angola 2010 could easily be our last ANC for a very very very long time. If anyone thinks I’m being over dramatic one only need take a look at Morocco and Senegal.
Achraf

Guys I have some good fucking news that just made my day!!!!!I am so happy to hear that Faouzi Benzarti will be our coach for the NT officially starting July 1st!!!!!!!He will stay with Esperance until the Arab Champions League is over!!!

Finally the FTF makes a smart decisions and they had to do it given that amount of people still wanting Fouzi Benzarti!!

I am so relieved and now I know that we will hopefully have a bright future and start a new era with Faouzi Benzarti el M3allam!!

http://www.mosaiquefm.net/index/a/ActuDetail/Element/9514-R%C3%A9union-du-bureau-f%C3%A9d%C3%A9ral-de-la-FTF–le-compte-rendu.html
Rachid

I see a lot of self-doubt in these comments, which is pretty normal since the bubble has burst. Instead of being excited about Tunisia competing for the title, we’re the games watching on TV as others do that. Egyptians are now coming here to ridicule us, forgetting that at some point they were denied the WC by Tunisia by a 4-1 score (perhaps Tarek Dhiab can offer a reminder). In fact, they called that episode “naksa”. Let’s hope Algeria gives them a dose of reality on Thursday, so they know for sure that, although they have figured out how to go past sub-saharan Africa teams, it’s a different ball game when it comes to North Africa. So, instead of focusing on our recent failure and the ongoing confusion about the future, let’s cheer for Algeria, our immediate neighbor!
Sami

Only time will tell and Achraf did you mean CAF Champions League and not Arab Champions League : D

Did Traoui really moved to EST?
Nabil

Pray it’s true Achraf.

Either we have a long term vision for the NT with Benzarti leading way or we fall flat on our face ala Morocco, South Africa and Senegal.
http://tunisia.worldcupblog.org Rami

Hey guys, sorry I’ve been MIA recently. Had to kinda detox a bit after going so hard for the past few weeks (still am on the Goal.com end since the African Cup is still going). The amount of mental energy I was dedicating to pushing our boys in any way that I could left me quite exhausted In any case, I’ve been following everything on here and in the news and was waiting to see what came out of this FTF meeting. As Achraf pointed out, it looks like we’re eventually going to get our wish regarding the FTF leaving but it’ll have to wait till the end of the season and then hopefully Benzarti gets his contract at that time too. A lot can happen between now and then though which is what concerns me the most.

In any case, I’m not sure what that means for our immediate future in terms of friendlies but my guess is Benzarti will stay in charge but just not have a contract. I thought that his point on Stade 7 about the Tunisian league needing more games was incredibly significant. More games, more competition, more experienced players = better national team. We need him to stay in charge and also get people with these kind of fresh ideas in the FTF to take our football to the next level. It’s not going to happen magically and having Benzarti as coach is definitely not enough.

Sami, yes Traoui went to EST. He’s already played in a friendly with them.

I doubt I’ll revisit the Cameroon game in much depth now. It would be overkill since its been discussed plenty here but I promise Tunisia World Cup Blog will remain active and I’ll be producing new material again very soon. Even if the NT is going in the freezer for a little there’s still plenty to cover and I intend on doing so.
Achraf

Yea Rami, I liked Benzarti’s idea about the playoff for the top six teams in the league because it will bring more competion and increase other teams’ possibility of winning the League. The Saudi and the American league do it and I enjoy especially the supporters during that time.

BTW Do we have any other friendlies besides the France, I am still waiting for USA to call!
Nabil

More games would definitely be a step in the right direction. Still find the fitness level of most Tunisian players inadequate.

Still think Tarek Diab point of view regarding a long term vision and strategy for football in Tunisia is absolutely crucial if we’re to take football in Tunisia to another level.

Must start with kids, can’t expect players whom are 20 or 21 just to become world class players, has to start the minute they get involved in football. It’s a question of dedication, sacrifice, patience ad most importantly putting the right people in place to head said development.

Ecstatic if Benzarti does sign on as NT manager but we should not kid ourselves into thinking Benzarti can remedy all the ills of the NT. We have to be honest with ourselves and admit he hardly has the likes of Fabregas, Iniesta, Torres, Villa, Xavi or Casillas to select from.
Sami

Santos finally found a new team.

http://www.maxifoot.fr/football-rss110008/istres-santos.php
Sami

Rami, could you tell me what positions does Tej play is he a supporting stiker or winger or plain stiker? or all of them.

I’m anxious to know more about him. And how old is he? maybe you could send to my e-mail a tiny profile of him? just some basic info of him since i can’t find anything about him T_T