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Lemerre Ponders Squad for Qualifiers: Tunisians Hold Their Breath

May 20th, 2008 | By: Rami | 8 Comments »

Tomorrow at 11:00 am in Tunis, Roger Lemerre is set to announce the players that will represent Tunisia in our four WC/ANC qualifiers during the month of June. Given his well documented unpredictability, most of us have learned to expect just about anything from the Frenchman. Besides the reported additions of Wissem Ben Yahia and Karim Saidi, there’s really no telling where the other changes will come. Well actually, that’s a lie: We know Karim Haggui is unavailable so there will be a change in the middle of defense. Same goes for Jawhar Mnari in midfield and Yassine Chikhaoui in attack.

I’m personally very interested to see whether Youssef Mouihbi has shown enough to get a well deserved call up and whether Amine Chermiti, who hasn’t been his usual goalscoring self lately, will remain in the squad. I think he should keep his place on pure physical and technical ability but Ali Zitouni, who barely missed out on Ghana during the African Cup, could make his return after helping Antalya Sport get promoted to the first division in Turkey.

If I had to choose 23 players (pretty sure that’s the number he’ll go for but don’t hold me to that), this is who I would pick:

Goalies: Aymen Balbouli (ESS), Adel Nefzi (Club Africain)

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

Midfielders: Mohammed Ali Nafkha (E.S. Sahel), Mehdi Nafti (Birmingham City), Mejdi Traoui (E.S. Sahel), Kamel Zaiem (E.S.Tunis), Tijani Belaid (Sparta Prague), , Chaouki Ben Saada (Bastia F.C), Wissem Ben Yahia (Club Africain), Zouahaier Dhaouadi (Club Africain), Fahd Ben Khalfallah (Angers)

Strikers: Mehdi Ben Dhifallah (E.S. Sahel), Mohammed Amine Chermiti (E.S. Sahel), Ali Zitouni (Antalya Sport), Youssef Mouihbi (Club Africain)

I’ve opted for a more offensive lineup than Lemerre will probably choose. I’m sure I’m forgetting someone I love or that deserves a place but that’s what I came up with on a whim. What do you think? What would your squad look like?

Tags: Group H, Karim Saidi, Roger Lemerre, Tunisia Soccer, Wissem Ben Yahia, Youssef Mouihbi

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Comments

By Moni | May 20th, 2008 at 1:52 pm

But Rami , thats a very good line up ! Including players that a worth a shirt , Souheil Berradhia (E.S. Sahel), this guy for example.
But what about Akrout ?

Posted from Netherlands

By marwen | May 20th, 2008 at 3:57 pm

i think lemeere will pick kasraoui for goalkeeper
i also think that he will call dos santos for attack
other then that, i think the same players that you picked

By thamer | May 20th, 2008 at 5:09 pm

i doubt you didnt include jemaa on purpose.

Posted from United States

By Rami | May 20th, 2008 at 5:23 pm

LOL, I knew I would forget people. I kept thinking to myself that I was opening pandora’s box by actually putting forth my own list but I guess that was part of the fun.

I haven’t seen enough of Akrout in Germany to know if he deserves a call up. On reputation alone I think it would be worth a shot even though he probably wouldn’t get any playing time. Still, integrating with the group is never a bad idea, especially if injuries become an issue later.

I simply don’t know how I overlooked Jemaa. He lead us in scoring during our qualifying for Ghana 2008 and this is how I repay him. Shame on me! Thanks for pointing that out Thamer. What’s funny is that if you look at my squad, even without Jemaa, it’s still pretty darn good. I guess I would take out Zitouni and put Jemaa in his place if I had to redo things.

And Marwen, you’re probably right about Kasraoui. I doubt he’d all of a sudden switch to Adel Nefzi even though he had a great season (despite that ridiculous mistake in Sousse against Etoile where he gifted Gilson a goal).

All of this goes to show how difficult this job can be (not mine as a blogger but Lemerre’s as a coach!). Maybe I should stop giving him such a hard time eh? Actually, he makes millions so I think he can handle it!

By Rachid | May 20th, 2008 at 5:59 pm

The fact that he’s still around is a good indication the FTF is a dysfunctional organization! Where is our next coach? Isn’t that a pressing issue? What’s wrong with this picture? We’ve had enough of Lemerre’s bullshit and it’s time for him to get the hell out!!! These are unusual times, when even Chermiti’s worthiness is being questioned!

By Rami | May 20th, 2008 at 7:44 pm

I feel your frustration Rachid. It’s not easy to tolerate such stupidity on the part of the FTF… As for Chermiti I think this saying applies: “form is temporary, class is permanent.” Even though Chermiti is not in the best form lately, he will always have that class that sets him apart from other strikers…. which is why included him in my lineup I’d be incredibly surprised if Lemerre leaves him out.

By Skander | May 21st, 2008 at 2:01 am

Rami, you gotta be kidding? You think Lemerde would leave without giving Santos want last chance to disappoint 10 million people? Seriously, does the new coach (whoever and whenever) get to make changes to the lineup?

Posted from Japan

By Rami | May 21st, 2008 at 6:48 am

Hey Skander, I didn’t say this was the team he would pick. I said this was the team I would pick. Santos has been dead weight for a while now and everyone knows it. Apparently Lemerre is catching on though, he didn’t select him Hard to believe I know!