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Coelho Finalizes List for Blackstars

November 13th, 2008 | By: Rami | 40 Comments »

Below are the names of the players Humberto Coelho has called up to face the Blackstars in Accra on November 19th. The Carthage Eagles will be taking a private plane to the West African nation on the 17th or 18th.

I hope it’s the former because showing up the day before a match isn’t always the best idea. Just don’t tell that to Dynamos of Zimbabwe…

The List

Goalkeepers: Hamdi Kasraoui (Esperance), Nadim Thabet (Jendouba Sport)

Defenders: Anis Boussaidi (Red Bull Salzburg), Bilel Ifa (Club Africain), Seif Ghezal (Young Boys), Yamen Ben Zekri (Bastia), ~~Yassine Mikari, (Grasshopper Zurich)~~ ~~Radhi Jaidi (Birmingham City)~~, Khaled Souissi (Club Africain), Abdelmonaam Derbali (Club Africain), Khaled Zairi (Stade Tunisien)

Midfielders: Majdi Traoui (Red Bull Salzburg), Houssine Ragued (Mons), Wissem Ben Yahia (Club Africain), Chaouki Ben Saada (OG Nice), Tijani Belaid (Slavia Prague), Oussema Darragi (Esperance), Mohammed Ali Nafkha (Etoile), Jamel Saihi (Montpellier)

Strikers: ~~Francileudo Dos Santos (Sochaux)~~, Issam Jemaa (Lens), Ali Zitouni (Antalyaspor), Sami Allagui (Gruther Furth), Mohammed Selliti (Stade Tunisien)

Those Left Behind

Bassem Sekhiri (US Monastir), Seifeddine Chammari (Esperance), Mohammed Ben Mansour (Esperance), ~~Khaled Zairi (Stade Tunisien)~~, Jawhar Mnari (Nurnberg), Hamed Namouchi (Lorient), Khaled Korbi (Stade Tunisien), Anis Boujelbene (Al Ahly), Hichem Essifi (USMo), Hamza Messaadi (Club Africain)

Analysis:

The list itself isn’t a bad one by any means but one peculiarity is that Coelho is only taking 22 players this time around instead of the usual 23. In the comments of the previous post I mentioned how the Portuguese manager always travels with three goalkeepers but here we are left with only two. I guess thats where the 23rd player is missing. Not sure why this but since I don’t have a proper frame of reference I’m not going to worry about it. I’m sure there’s a reason. Whether its’ a good reason or not is another story…

Here are some players to watch:

The New Boys:

Nadim Thabet: During one of my many football related discussions with the locals in Ghana, one guy looked at me and said: “The thing about Tunisia is that when you have a good team, the goalkeeper is bad, and when you have a good goalkeeper, the team is bad!” That cracked me up when I heard it but the more I think about it the closer it is to the truth. I think Balbouli is still our best option right now but cycling in other keepers like Coelho is doing is positive. Now is the time to test people out. Soon it’ll be all business and experimentation won’t be a good idea.

Bilel Ifa: The 18 year old is taking domestic league by storm and has quickly turned into a fan favorite of the Parc A supporters. His ability to alternate playing on the right and left side of defense make him a valuable asset. Props to Coelho for calling him up despite his two costly mistakes in the derby this past weekend.

Abdelmonaam Derbali: It took him a while to form a decent partnership with Bachtobji in the middle of defense for CA but the two are finally starting to click a little. Once Haggui returns I doubt we’ll see Derbali again but getting him some time with the team is important if injuries continue to be a factor.

Jamel Saihi: The french born Montpellier left back receives his first call up. Hard to say anything with any level of authority since I’ve never even seen him play.

Sami Allagui: Bundesliga 2’s leading scorer is set to choose the country of his parents over the country of his birth. We’ll see if his playing style translates well into international competition.

The Returnees:

Khaled Souissi: More of a central defender but can play right back in times of desperate need. Not very good at providing offensive support but his timing in the tackle is one of his strong points. Last time he donned a Carthage Eagles jersey was when Lemerre called him up before the African Cup. He did not end up making the traveling squad though.

Francileudo Dos Santos: The roadrunner needs no introduction. Fresh off a goal for Sochaux, he should be high in confidence. However, there’s a report saying he injured his thigh again and might not make the trip. On Sunday Coelho will announce whether he’s replacing him or not. The most likely candidate is Hichem Essifi.

Ali Zitouni: Our Turkish expat striker is back after being tested a few times by Lemerre in the leadup to the African Cup. One of the old guard that might need to be called upon if our strikers keep sustaining injuries. Good idea to call him up and familiarize him with the new system now.

Radhi Jaidi: The big poppa of the group back to keep the young guns in check. I wonder how much he gets teased about his role in Maktoub. Probably not too much given that he’s 6′5 and could probably take anyone on the team! Best thing about Radhi is you know what you’re getting when you put him on the field (and thats good heading mixed with questionable foot skills!).

The Mainstays

Wissem Ben Yahia: He’s incredible for club, mediocre for country but word out of the Eagle camp is that Coelho rates him highly and wants him to be one of the pillars of the team. Rumors are surfacing the Werder Bremen and Arminia Biefield are interested. This after Borrussia Dortmund was said to have interest last year. Everyone is waiting on him to replicate his club form in a Tunisia jersey.

Houcine Ragued: Another player that Coelho will rely upon heavily if rumors are to be believed. His aggressivity is the main reason. He hounds opposing midfielders with his ball coverage and puts in some fierce tackles. Mehdi Nafti is the only one that compares. It will be interesting to see who Coelho favors once Nafti returns to the team.

Oussema Darragi: A quality player with a knack for being in the right place at the right time. His heading ability is well documents but his passing and shooting is improving every year. I’d love to see him get more a significant amount of time on the field.

The Always Injured

Hamed Namouchi: Coelho sees him as a central piece to the puzzle but Namouchi spends more time on the trainers table than he does on the field. It’s unfortunate for such a good player to hit a string of bad luck but we have no choice but to do without him.

What do you think of the list? Are you upset at any of the selections or omissions? Keep in mind that all Etoile and CSS players (with the exception of Mohammed Ali Nafkha who is suspended) were not eligible to be called up because the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup Final is on the 20th. Also, if you got a lineup in mind, please feel free to share!

Tags: Ali Zitouni, Bilel Ifa, Group H, Humberto Coelho, Jamel Saihi, Sami Allagui

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 40 comments.

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By thamer | November 14th, 2008 at 10:36 pm

haha, my favorite arabic song

Posted from United States

By Achraf | November 15th, 2008 at 10:01 am

As most of might have realized Mejdi Traoui is not playing for his current club. So Coelho said he will make sure in the next transfer window, He will give Traoui a chance to play for a portuguese club. I think that would be good news for Traoui.

Posted from United States

By tounsi | November 15th, 2008 at 12:26 pm

TOUNIS WILL WIN 0-1 IN GHANA

Posted from Netherlands

By Lazar | November 15th, 2008 at 4:53 pm

can anybody tell me more info on allagui? like where was he born? is he full tunisian or half?

By Achraf | November 15th, 2008 at 8:21 pm

Finally Kamel Zaim played for FC Partizan today who was subbed in on the 73rd minute. I s this his first game that he played this season?

By skander | November 16th, 2008 at 5:36 am

GOOD NEWS: http://herthabsc.de/index.php?id=15702&tx_ttnewstt_news=4221&tx_ttnewsbackPid=15546&cHash=ba2c032168

Hertha’s list of walking wounded is shortning at last. “”"”"”"”Amine Chermiti and Patrick Ebert resumed full first team training, and would be able to play if called upon.”"”"”"”"”"” In fact, Ebert came on in injury time during the 2-1 home win over HSV on Saturday. Coach Lucien Favre did not want to risk any of them by allowing them to start that game so Ebert was on the bench.

Posted from Sweden

By Abdullah | November 16th, 2008 at 11:30 am

More good news, i was watching Greuther Fürth play an incredible match today.
Sami Allagui scored in the opening of the match 5th minute, then they gave it all away and it became 1:3, but incredibly they came back to make it 4:3.
Greuther Fürth is now 4th of the bundesliga 2, 5 points behind the nr.1

Posted from Netherlands

By Achraf | November 16th, 2008 at 12:42 pm

Yes, I saw that to Abdullah. So Allagui is going into wednesdays match confident and ready. Cant wait to see how he plays. Hopefully he will score in his first game on the NT just like Chermiti did.

By skander | November 16th, 2008 at 2:59 pm

If allagui continues like this, a bundesliga 1 club will definatelu buy him.

Posted from Sweden

By Abdullah | November 16th, 2008 at 3:03 pm

Yup, and most of all we might have a reliable nr9 now!

Posted from Netherlands

By Achraf | November 17th, 2008 at 11:31 am

Yassine Mikari out for the Ghana game

Posted from United States

By Rami | November 17th, 2008 at 11:33 am

And no one is replacing him I’m pretty sure. This might give Ifa a chance to start the match since he plays left and right side equally well. Santos getting replaced by Selliti. We’re not out of the woods yet with these injuries huh…

Posted from United States

By thamer | November 17th, 2008 at 12:09 pm

its no big deal. ghana are also missing most of their top players. and our two big guns are almost fully recovered, chermiti and chikhaoui. imagine how much better and confident we’ll feel about our team when he have those two back along with haggui and ben khalfallah…it gives me something to look forward to. inshallah belaid doesnt get injured (knock on wood)

Posted from United States

By Fahd | November 17th, 2008 at 1:28 pm

HI Guys,

According to the latest news, Chikhaoui is injured again. After the first training with the team he had a lot of pain in his right Knee. It seems that he has to take rest until the winter period. We might see him if he is lucky in February??

FCZ: The problem Chikhaoui

It is questionable whether the Tunisians in the preliminary round still to play. Dafür steht Regisseur Almen Abdi am Sonntag gegen YB in der Startformation. That’s what director Almen Abdi on Sunday against YB in the starting formation.

The first question: “Yassine Chikhaoui, how are you?” - “Merci, ça va.” The second question: “When you can play again?” - “On Verra.”
The Tunisian ball artist of FC Zurich is on this Friday morning not just chatty. Mit Ad van den Bergh, dem Leiter der medizinischen Abteilung, hat er zuvor auf der Allmend Brunau ein Lauf- und Reha-Training absolviert. With Ad van den Bergh, the head of the medical department, he has previously on the Allmend Brunau a run and Rehabilitation Training course. Seine Mannschaftskollegen arbeiteten derweil auf dem Kunstrasen des Juchhofs mit dem Ball, um sich auf die Partie gegen YB und die ungewohnte Unterlage aus Kunststoff im Stade de Suisse vorzubereiten. His team-mates meanwhile worked on the artificial turf of Juchhofs with the ball to prepare for the match against YB and the unusual backing of plastic at the Stade de Suisse prepare.

Patellasehne schmerzt immer noch Patellasehne still hurts

«Wir wollen Yassine die Belastungen, denen die Gelenke auf Kunstrasen ausgesetzt sind, noch nicht zumuten», erklärt Van den Bergh. “We want Yassine the pressures to which the joints are exposed to artificial turf, not yet expect,” said Van den Bergh. Der Tunesier macht seit Anfang Monat Teile des Mannschaftstrainings mit, aber nach harten Einheiten leidet er nach wie vor unter Schmerzen an der im April operierten Patellasehne unterhalb des Knies. The Tunisians made since the beginning of month of training with the team, but after he suffers harsh units still under pain of the April Patellasehne operated below the knee. «Er braucht Geduld», sagt Van den Bergh. “He needs patience,” says Van den Bergh. Eine Prognose, wann Chikhaoui zurückkehrt, mag er nicht stellen. A forecast when Chikhaoui returns, he might not make. Sportchef Fredy Bickel ist mutiger: «Ich bin schon froh, wenn er vor der Winterpause nochmals spielen kann.» Sports boss Fredy Bickel is bolder: “I am just glad when it before the winter break can play again.”

Am 2. On 2 März hat der Tunesier letztmals das FCZ-Trikot getragen. March, the last time the Tunisians FCZ-worn jersey. Die Signale aus Augsburg, wo sich Chikhaoui operieren liess, deuteten auf eine Auszeit von drei, vier Monaten hin und waren viel zu optimistisch. The signals from Augsburg, where Chikhaoui operate them, hinted at a break of three or four months out and were much too optimistic. Bernard Challandes sagt dazu nur: «Er muss hart arbeiten und gesund werden. Bernard Challandes said only: “He must work hard and be healthy. Dann bekommt er seine Chance.» Nur: Wann das ist, kann der Trainer nicht abschätzen. Then he gets his chance. “Only: When it is, the coach can not be estimated. Froh ist er dafür, dass gegen YB mit Regisseur Almen Abdi ein anderer Leistungsträger nach überstandenem Muskelfaserriss zurückkehrt. He is pleased that against YB with director Almen Abdi another service provider post-Muskelfaserriss returns.

(Tages-Anzeiger) (Tages-Anzeiger)

By skander | November 17th, 2008 at 2:48 pm

I said so, if you hurt your knee really bad and torn that thing you’ll have to work with your ne regurarly the rest of your career, it’s like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, he’ll have to work with his knee the rest of his career. :(:(:(:( Why Chikhaoui?

Posted from Sweden

By skander | November 17th, 2008 at 2:54 pm

FAHD/RAMI could you put that into google translate or just translate it for us? :S. Fahd, maybe you didn’t understand what the article was about?

Posted from Sweden

By skander | November 17th, 2008 at 2:57 pm

it’s fucked up

Posted from Sweden

By Achraf | November 17th, 2008 at 3:38 pm

I think, since most of the starters are injured for the Ghana Game, Coelho Should look at other countries to set up friendlies with them because after this game, we only play Netherlands before we play Kenya and The injured players need more then the Netherlands game to learn this system.

By Abdullah | November 17th, 2008 at 6:22 pm

This S&$%* just keeps getting better and better!

Posted from Netherlands

By Rachid | November 18th, 2008 at 10:52 am

Very interesting developments:Cabral gone from EST; Kanzari left for H. Lif after Esperance decided to hire the ex-State Tunisien coach, a Portuguese.

http://www.kawarji.com/actu-2438-_ligue_1_maher_kanzari_remplace_ridha_akacha_a_hammam_lif.html

Posted from United States

By Achraf | November 18th, 2008 at 11:24 am

When will the game be played tomorrow?
and on what channel?

Posted from United States

By Rami | November 18th, 2008 at 11:33 am

It’s a 7:00 PM Tunisia time but I don’t know the channel yet. I’m doing my best to get a preview up by the end of today. Gonna be tight because things are very busy.

Rachid, Esperance is kinda ridiculous right now. They fire a guy who has them leading the league and scoring lots of goals. Apparently Cabral didn’t like that Hamdi Meddeb fired the Brazilian physical trainer of the team.

Posted from United States

By Achraf | November 18th, 2008 at 3:08 pm

Here is a link on Sami Allagui Interview. He actually speaks pretty good arabic not like some of the other players and I like what he is trying to accomplish on the NT, saying he not only wants to be successful in Africa, but in the world cup as well. http://www.mosaiquefm.net/index/a/ActuDetail/Element/5371-Sami-Allagui-un-petit-nouveau-tr%C3%A8s-enthousiaste.html

By Fahd | November 18th, 2008 at 4:35 pm

Skander,

The article is translated using Google. Again after the first full training he experienced a lot of pain in his knee. Therefore we will an can not expect him to play before the end of this year.

By the Rami, is everything ok? I did not read any comments from your side concerning this news?? Any confirmation from your sources??

ciao

By Rami | November 18th, 2008 at 4:45 pm

Fahd, everything is fine man, its just a really busy week and I’m having trouble keeping up. I read that article and I don’t know much else about the situation. It’s just wait and see at this point. Naturally, it’s not positive that he’s still feeling pain this long after surgery. All I can do is sit back and hope that he recovers in due time and that we get to see him wear our jersey again.

Posted from United States

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