Lemerre Announces Roster for Cote d’Ivoire Friendly

So Roger Lemerre is on the way out but for now he’s still our coach and is staying true to his ways. Here’s the list of players he’s called up for the March 26th fixture versus Cote d’Ivoire:

Goalkeepers: Hamdi Kasraoui (E.S.Tunis), Aymen Mathlouthi (E.S. Sahel)

Defenders: Radhouane Felhi (E.S. Sahel), Karim Haggui (Baryer Leverkusen), Radhi Jaidi (Birmigham City), Seif Ghezel (B.S.C Young Boys), Souheil Berradhia (E.S. Sahel), Saber Ben Fraj (Le Mans), Mehdi Meriah (E.S. Sahel), Yassine Mikari (Grasshappers)

Midfield: Jawher Mnari (F.C. Nuremberg), Mohammed Ali Nafkha (E.S. Sahel), Mehdi Nafti (Birmingham City), Mejdi Traoui (E.S. Sahel), Chaker Zouaghi (Locomotive Moscow), Kame Zaiem (E.S.Tunis), Tijani Belaid (Sparta Prague), Yassine Chikhaoui (FC. Zurich), Chaouki Ben Saada (Bastia F.C)

Strikers: Mehdi Ben Dhifallah (E.S. Sahel), Mohammed Amine Chermiti (E.S. Sahel), Francileudo Dos Santos Sylva (F.C. Toulouse)

Storylines:

1. Wasn’t this supposed to be for local players only? I’m not complaining, just wondering as I type. They made a big deal about preparing for the African Cup for local players but I guess now that the Olympic is taking care of that the FTF has changed their mind. It’s actually for the better I think, World Cup qualifying is around the corner and we need this promising group to keep building on the chemistry they showed in Ghana.

2. No Issam Jemaa: Lemerre made mention to the fact that Jemaa is struggling a little at club level. I guess he didn’t see the goal he scored for CAEN a few weeks ago. What he’s really alluding to are personal troubles for the Tunisian striker. He’s been in trouble with the law recently and I think it’s better to spare him.

3. Belaid is back: After missing out on the African Cup due to extenuating circumstances, Belaid is back in the team. He hasn’t been playing much at his club but I think this positive. Reintegrating him will be good for him psychologically.

4. Not a single Club Africain player in the list: No Mouihbi, No Ouertani, no Yahia no Nefzi. Club Africain fans are losing their minds over this but I’m not one of them. Their time will come (especially Mouihbi’s), just not with Lemerre in charge. Roger’s explanation for this phenomenon actually makes some sense. CA has a game in Togo on Saturday and the Cote d’Ivoire match is on Wednesday. While they could technically make it onto the plane, Lemerre doesn’t want to impose on the club (at least thats what he says).

5. Souheil Berradhia gets his first call up. The replacement for Saber Ben Fraj has made an instant impact in the Sahel. He’ll be hoping to impress if he gets a chance.

6. Radhi Jaidi still around: After the African Cup he talked about stepping aside for a little but Lemerre still needs him…

7. No Amir Akrout: I’ve been wanting to see this kid get a chance ever since I found out about him. So far no can do. If he keeps putting in good performances in Germany I bet we’ll see him sooner rather than later.

8. Nafkha gets another chance: After just barely missing out on the African Cup, Nafkha returns once more to show off what he can do.

Did I miss anything? Drop a line and let me know. What do you think of the list?

In Other News:

Here’s the list for the Olympic team that will face the Junior Dutch team on March 26 and then the Lybian domestic team on March 30th to begin qualification for the African Cup for Locals:

Frouk Ben Mustapha (CAB) – Arbi Mejri (EST) – Wissem Naouali (ST) – Aymen Abdennour (ESS) – Khaled Ayari (EST) – Karim Ben Amor (CSS) – Wissem Ben Yahia (CA) – Wajdi Bouazzi (EST) – Nizar Boukarra (USMo) – Khalil Chammam (EST) – Chadi Hammami (CSS) – Seifallah Hosni (CAB) – Houcine Jabeur (CSS) – Amar Jmel (ESS) – Sabeur Khelifa (EST) – Khaled Korbi (ST) – Seif Mahjoubi (EST) – Mejdi Mosrati (USMo) – Youssef Mouihbi (CA) – Khaled Souissi (CA) – Naoufel Yousfi (EST)