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Honorable Yet Cruel: Carthage Eagles Leave Heads Held High

February 4th, 2008 | By: Rami | 21 Comments »

Damn, this one is really really hard to digest. There are so many things to talk about it’s hard to know where to start. Many positives from this match but I can’t help but comment on these things that leave me truly gutted:

1. Although I had mentioned in the preview for this game that Lemerre and company had done just fine up to this point in this tournament, they really miscalculated for this one. It’s easy to be an armchair analyst and I understand that they cannot see the future but their game plan simply did not work. Sitting back and waiting for Cameroon resulted in us conceding two goals (the first one completely silly). Only the injury to our best defender, Karim Haggui, forced the defensive minded Felhi into the middle of the defense and brought on Saber Ben Fradj. This was the turning point of the match for us as it completely changed our style and gave us a more attacking impetus and flair. So Lemerre only made this decision because he was forced to by an injury, not out of his own tactical reading on the game. Imagine Haggui stayed in and we kept Felhi on the right? What would the final score be?

2. I usually try not to touch on this as it makes you come across bitter and a sore loser but it has to be said that the referee didn’t do us any favors. I don’t expect to get every call go our way but there were instances where he was harsh. Out of two calls for a penalty I’d have liked to get one and then not even one minute of injury time added at the end of extra time when we were still pressing for an equalizer and in a dangerous part of the field. Obviously, it’s not THE reason we lost this match I have to admit it didn’t help at all. I don’t get hung up on this point that much though because this is the nature of football. Calls have to go one way or another. The game is bigger than the referee and at the end of the day I respect the result anyway. It’s not like we’ve never had a ref do us favors…

3. It is clear after that one thing that hurt us big time is the mindset at the beginning of the game. We came in fearing a Cameroon side that is the weakest I have ever seen it. The prudence that we play with is unreal and you can tell that the players are shackled by this overbearing coach. How else do you explain that we only start playing our best football after we concede two goals in the first 35 minutes? It’s a strange policy of luck that Lemerre plays with. It can take you places sometimes but unfortunately for us, luck runs out and as the saying goes “the ball is round.” A few bad bounces cost us but you have to think about why were in those positions in the first place. After we took the goals and realized that we had nothing to lose and ran after the result there were only positives (besides that ill timed goal at the beginning of extra time). When we went after it we dominated this game, pure and simple.

4. Why did it take so long for Chermiti to come on? It made no sense. Sure Santos nearly scored in the first half but he was practically invisible in the second. Chermiti provoked danger as soon as he came on and he didn’t even get enough time to really get oriented in this match. He e may be one the fastest players I’ve ever seen and we take forever to employ him in a game against one of the slowest and lousiest defenses in this tournament. Why Jemaa came in before him I will never know. Bizarre decision.

I could go on with this but frankly I also want to focus on positives and congratulate the players that gave everything on the field. This was one of the most passionate and impressive performances we’ve seen from our side in quite a while and for that we can truly be proud:

1. Yassine Chikhaoui finally had his breakout performance that we were looking for and even managed to get his name on the score sheet in dramatic fashion. His equalizing goal brought me to tears (no joke).

2. Although his getting into the match was by accident, Saber Ben Fradj proved that he is the undisputed starter at right back. Some people will say they already knew this but before the African Cup others weren’t really convinced as he had yet to show that he could do for his country what he always did for Etoile. Consider that notion abolished. He was relentless and his hard work and determination were at the genesis of our equalizer.

3. Chaouki Ben Saada deserves praise for his wonderful curled free kick that gave us hope. He nearly got a second too in what would have been a repeat of his goal against South Africa. Too bad Kameni is one of the best goalkeepers in Africa… Regardless, I’ve gained so much respect for our Bastia boy. I hope that he makes it into a D1 team soon and that he continues on this upwards curve.

4. Tunisia showed that we are not a team with no style that relies on taking rhythm out of the match. We put all the rhythm into this match and even neutral onlookers will know that our Eagles have an incredible amount of talent, chemistry, and most importantly character. It’s not every team that can come back from a two goal deficit like that in those conditions. No question who was “indomitable” today.

5. The future looks bright for Tunisian football: 17 out of the 23 players in the list just participated in their first African Cup. When you think about the fact that Mouihbi, Dhaouadi, Akrout, Berradhia, Belaid and many others are waiting in the wings it is that much more uplifting. The talent we have at our disposal in addition to the experience these youngsters gained in Ghana makes us a team that will grow and potentially be one of the favorites for Angola 2010. This also gives us a serious shot of making a record fourth consecutive World Cup appearance and perhaps finally pass into the second round and beyond.

Now we are at a time of reckoning. Lemerre’s contract runs out in three months and his fate must be decided. Even though he undoubtedly brought something to our team initially when he took over, I think that the time has come to say goodbye. Actually as I’ve said before it’s overdue. If not for his mistakes and approach to the games then simply because too much has gone on and there’s been too much negativity towards him and from him to go back and try to rebuild bridges. We need a fresh face and new start before our qualifying campaign begins.

We have the players, we just need a leader to forge them into the type of dominant unit that we know we can be. Perhaps this isn’t the right time to be talking about this when it’s so soon after the loss but it’s the elephant in the room that is on everyone’s mind and I can’t help but point it out. Thing is, time is short and we must act quickly. The people in the federation who botched our preparations must be held accountable too. Ultimately though, I will look back on this team with fond memories as I’m sure that we have just witnessed the birth of a new generation of footballers that will scale new heights for us. They should leave Ghana with their heads held high as they played beautiful and fought their very hardest no matter how difficult the task seemed. That is all you can ask of them.

Extended Highlights

Resume-Tunisie-Cameroun
Uploaded by Footn

The Goals

un choc de titants Tunisie Vs Cameroun
Uploaded by Artiste-Tunisien

Merci Les Aigles de Carthage

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Comments

By Bman | February 4th, 2008 at 10:34 pm

In the movie the 300, the Spartans loose in the end, but not without displaying the courage, heart, and tenacity of Champions. Today Tunisia lost the match but they gained the hearts of many people, and re-afirmed what all true fans already know.

I have never felt so satisfied(relatively) after a loss. Tunisia went down swinging and just as easily could have progressed. Compare this them playing Ukraine in the World cup and i think it is a better team. This game was a game Cameroon were very fortunate to escape and many people will have judged Tunisia to be superior. We didnt break or crack Like Guinea(5-0) against Ivory Coast. We didnt run out of gas or will to fight like Nigeria vs Ghana(even with a 1 man advantage). The players fought hard, they showed maybe more heart then ever today, they left it all on the field, and thats what all Tunsian fans have been asking for, for forever.

As for Lemerre, his strategys all suggest that he is going for win by the skin of your teeth approach, he tries to do only just enough to win. When Tunisia took the foot off the gas the really strange and stupid goals like goal 1 and 3 happen to us. When Tunisia put their foot on the gas, which Lemerre hardly allows, Cameroon couldnt even breath . Sometime the goalkeeper Kameni made mistakes a high school player should even make.

Ben Sadaa is a damn good player, his star is going to rise because this tournament showcased his very special abilities. When him, Chermiti, and Chikhaoui get a chance to combine, they can really drive defenses crazy.

In the future, I think you will see even better things from Tunisia, I think Seif Ghezal will take Jaidis spot. I also think a number of players will continue to be unearthed from the Tunisian league,the youth ranks, and Tunisians abroad. This tournament showed that Tunisia isnt a boring team. I just wish there was more to watch.

Anyhow Rami, thanks for the constant commentary im sure there will be more interesting topics in the Near future. Sometimes when i see news postings on google about the team, and possible lineups, i think they use this blog as a source! You have made this most popular African blog on the website and will soon overtake more most postings total. Congrats, and keep us posted for as long as you can

Posted from United States

By thamer | February 4th, 2008 at 10:53 pm

like bman, i took have never been this satisfied after a loss. although i wish we would have won, i am extremely proud of our boys for the effort they put in. any other team would have laid down and died after going down 2-0 to cameroon, but we really took it to them. if ben fraj and mikari had started the match, and chermiti had been introduced earlier…i think the match would have ended up in our favor. i agree with you rami, we do have many reasons to be positive. many of our players are young and are quickly improving, by the next world cup, they will be nearing their prime and we should be a force to be reckoned with. my emotions are mixed, but the one thing i can say for sure, is that im proud to be tunisian.

Posted from United States

By tamim | February 5th, 2008 at 9:21 am

hard luck rami….do’t worry we will take revenge for you in the final isa

By Rami | February 5th, 2008 at 10:17 am

Thank you Bman, Thamer, and Tamim for the words of support and encouragement. With one night’s sleep behind me the loss still hurts but it’s true that given the way we played I can only be proud. It’s been fun covering this tournament. Now I’m supporting Egypt and hoping to enjoy more soccer while waiting for new developments in our league and for rumours to start to swirl regarding our players that turned heads at this tournament. We’ve got such a promising young group, Inshallah they continue on positive path.

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By Daily Dose 2.5.08 - World Cup Blog - African Cup of Nations 2008 | February 5th, 2008 at 10:22 am

[...] A look back at the Carthage Eagles exit (Tunisia Blog) [...]

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By Skander | February 5th, 2008 at 12:01 pm

I’m taking back all the negative things I said about Bekri, what a player! He is a fighter and gives 100% in each duel and it’s really hard to chose between him and Mikari who’s more offensive but Bekri is better in the defensive work. Ben Saada, Chikhaoui and Traoui Showed that they are two big players in the two last matches they played against South Africa respective Cameroon and BEN FREDJ, FELHI and of course. The entire team!. I’m just little disappointed with Jemaa

Posted from Sweden

By Rachid | February 5th, 2008 at 1:36 pm

Relying on Kasraoui instead of Balbouli was a big mistake!!! That much should at least be said about his poor performance. Again, just because he’s the GK of Esperance does not make him the best! We left the one who won 3 titles within one year sitting on bench. I’m sure Maaloul has nothing to do with it, not!!!

Posted from United States

By Rami | February 5th, 2008 at 4:17 pm

I’m with you on Bekri, Skander. I really did not like him at the beginning of this tournament and said so when the list was released. A lot of people share that opinion actually but after his first match where he was so solid I gained a lot of respect and yesterday he did well and even helped the attack from time to time. He’s gone up in my book but I still prefer Mikari for his speed.

Rachid, I understand your point of view but it was just a few days ago that we were saying Kasraoui was having a pretty good tournament. Against South Africa and Angola he erased certain goals and plus Mathlouthi/Balbouli was injured recently so it’s hard to count on him. In general terms though I agree with your assessment that Balbouli is a better goalie and could have easily been picked as our number one. We didn’t lose this last game because of Hamdi though. He made a mistake on that first goal but his wall failed him on the second. We lost yesterdays game because of Lemerre’s insistence on keeping 9 players behind the halfway line. That was the genesis of the two goals we took so early and we had to chase the match and were so exhausted when we equalized that there was that inevitable letdown and loss in concentration. Maaloul and Lemerre will be history soon. The satisfaction of this tournament is that the players proved they are ready to take their responsabilities and play with flair. We have the beginnings of a marvelous generation.

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By Moni | February 6th, 2008 at 7:56 am

Thanx rami for news facts about tunisia of the last weeks, are there still new discussion goinig on ore is this also the end of this AFCON ? Blog ?

What now ? Lemerre gets a new 2 year contract ? ore is he leaving , and who should replace him ? Is the TFT Happy with the results of lemerre ?
I think He didn’t do bad , after all the tactical play is improved by hime i think. Only thing I didn’t like was the always defensive apraoch , but everyone nows and hate this.

Should we get mourinho ? LOL, I’m afraid that we get a B class trainer ore a German Trainer

Posted from Netherlands

By Moni | February 6th, 2008 at 8:01 am

1 question: who is faster Jaziri ore Chermiti , i really think Jaziri , Chermiti is also fast but I have never seen a player with such a speed/accerleration within equipe en also outside. And he is stil fast !

Posted from Netherlands

By Rami | February 6th, 2008 at 8:19 am

No worries Moni, this isn’t the end of the blog by any means. I’m taking a breath for a second but I’ll be writing again real soon. Lots of subjects to talk about (coach, players who impressed, etc).

As for the Jaziri/Chermiti speed debate I think it’s definitely Chermiti who is faster. Jaziri is still fast but Chermiti is on a whole other level of acceleration and I think his top speed is probably bigger too. Maybe it’s just subjective because it’s the way he runs but I’m pretty sure if you put them in a race Chermiti would finish first every time. Also, with the attackers we have for the future I don’t think Jaziri can make it back into our team. Maybe in the case of injuries but honestly we need to think about 2010 and look towards a youth movement. I love everything Jaziri has done for us but we gotta move forward in my opinion.

Posted from United States

By realjsk | February 6th, 2008 at 11:22 pm

I just wanted to thank you Rami for this great blog. I have to say that I was glad to finally come across a well objective Tunisian blog/forum.

Concerning our national team, I think that the players gave it all they had and I can’t be more satisfied by their performance. Meanwhile, I don’t think that Lemerre has anything to add to this team. This result as a whole could be seen as satisfactory if he only had a few months to prepare the team. However, given that he’s been on this task for almost 6 years, I would say enough is enough.

Thank you and I hope that this won’t be the end of it.

By NL.Bassem | February 7th, 2008 at 7:33 am

Great game, great players, heads high, enough said. We are perparing ourselfs for a great future generation of players. Don’t forget the World Championship this summer team Under 17. They Slaughterd US with 3-1. Those kids and this team equals a great future!

Rami you will writght more and more because the developments aint over yet. A lot to come and a lot to wright, keep up the good job and keep us informed. The latest news around the Netherlands is that Ajax Amsterdam is realy interessted in Chikoui and they know they are not the only one’s that are interessted. If i know more i will post you!

Last thing i want to say is, Thanks Coach’s even if you didn’t agree a lot of times but you are a great duo! Lemmre even when you go we will always remeber you as the best coach Tunisia ever had!

Posted from Netherlands

By NL.Bassem | February 7th, 2008 at 7:35 am

Chermiti has iron lungs, Jaziri doesn’t, but even so its comparing appels with grapes!

Posted from Netherlands

By jihedc | February 7th, 2008 at 7:37 am

Rami, thank you for this wonderful and so friendly blog. Hope to read you soon. I can see a bright future for our team. Thank’s again.
Jihed

Posted from United States

By Rami | February 7th, 2008 at 9:16 am

realjsk, NL.Bassem, and jihedc thanks so much for your kind comments and genuine interest in the blog. I am just as interested in your opinions so thank you for sharing with us. I am very happy with the team and with it’s future outlook. I started writing well before the African Cup and will continue well after it. It’s really fun and very rewarding on a personal level as well as a good way to get people who know nothing about Tunisian football acquainted with it (I don’t include you in that category of course!). I’ve been very busy at work which is why I’ve taken a few days off but as you all mention, there will be plenty of storylines to follow. I look forward to writing more, to hearing your opinions, and continuing this fantastic interchange of ideas and love for the Tunisian national team and the Tunisian Ligue 1 too.

NL. Bassem, if you check back in the archives you can find the coverage of the U17 team. That was one of the highlights of my summer. I fell in love with that team and can’t wait to see how these youngsters develop (especially Nour Hadhria, Bilel Ifa, Youssef Msekni, Mossaeb Sassi, Rafik Dkhil, Khaled Ayari etc. actually everyone hehe). They all have bright futures, not to mention the senior squad that is progressing nicely. It’s a beautiful time to be a fan of our country’s number one sport! Do stay tuned and keep sharing, I love hearing different and even opposing opinions. It’s what this is all about!

Posted from United States

By Fahd | February 7th, 2008 at 11:43 am

Hi guys,

First I would like to say that Tunisia has a lot of talented players. No doubt about that. What they miss is the confidence of being better than the so called professional European based star players. This means that they need to get rid of their complex and prepare their matches diffrently.

Unfortunately coach lemerrde was never able to do that as he alway made the opponent better and bigger than the tunisian players. His defensive game plan kills the talen of players such as Chikhaoui chermiti and other offensive players.

Tunisian Football federation need to instal a national coach who will implement an offensive game plan on the pitch. WE HAVE THE PLAYERS FOR IT.

I do not consider the succes the Tunisian team had in 2004 as his. Any Tunisian traine with the EXACT resources as Lemerde had, would have done it., this I am sure of.

Tunisia has a very strong leaugue with good players and good trainers let’s build a foundation that can support future national succes on an international level.

inshallah the future is better.

regards and thanks for the Nice BLOG

Posted from United States

By Rachid | February 7th, 2008 at 12:55 pm

Fahd: I could not agree with you more!!! Lemerre is a chicken shit, and he has manged to instill that mentality in the Tunisian palyers minds, unfortunately. We need a strong Tunisian coach who can say to hell with all the assumptions and confront these so-called stars head on!!! Let’s hope Mr. Sioud acts quite soon to send Lemerre Packing.

Posted from United States

By jihedc | February 7th, 2008 at 6:57 pm

Which Tunisian coach Rachid? Remember Korea-Japan 2002, and the work done by the Tunisian coach. While never a big fan of Lemerre, a Tunisian coach will become a puppet of the FTF. Some names to erase: Henri Michel, mister failure and Kasper. Give some name, let’s see.

Posted from United States

By jihedc | February 7th, 2008 at 7:03 pm

Rami, I missed the U17 coverage. I heard about the team’s performance, but missed your blog. Could you please direct me to some readings? Once again, great blog, so many comments (they should give the number 1 price for the blog). Not so sure what’s next after this CAN. Keep us informed

Posted from United States

By Rami | February 7th, 2008 at 9:42 pm

jihedc, here’s the link for some of the august postings:

http://tunisia.worldcupblog.org/2007/08

For future reference, if you want to look back at previous postings just go to the homepage of this blog and scroll down the page while keeping your eye on the right hand side of the page. You’ll see something titled “Archives” and you can scroll down to the month you’re looking for and then select the posting that sounds interesting to you. Sometimes I like to take a look back myself and remember things that I wrote and how people responded. Plus there’s embedded videos in some of them that are fun to rewatch.

Fahd and Rachid, definitely agree with both of you on this. Not only did he not rely on Chermiti like he should have in the second match, he played Chikhaoui out of position for the entire tournament. The guy just doesn’t think about offense. All he focuses on is defensive stability. Ironically, it causes us to concede goals because we give too much possession away…

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