Preliminary List for Burkina Faso WC Qualifier Announced

While Lemerre was content to just release roster lists for matches at the last minute without bothering to explain much, Coelho has taken a different path and seems to favor releasing a preliminary list of 30 players he is considering two days before he announces the 23 he is settling on.

Some might find it to only increase questioning of his decisions but it really shouldn’t be considered as such because it is more transparent than his predecessors method and gives us a chance to understand who is on his mind besides the players that actually make it onto the field and bench.

Keep in mind that this list can change depending on injuries and other extenuating circumstances.

Goalkeepers: Hamdi Kasraoui (EST), Aymen Mathlouthi (ESS), Jacem Khalloufi (CSS), Arbi Mejri (EST)

Defenders: Saber Ben Fraj (Le Mans), Anis Boussaïdi (Red Bull Salzburg), Bilel Ifa (CA), Karim Hagui (Bayer Leverkusen), Seif Ghzél (Young Boys Berne), Radhouane Felhi (ESS), Yamen Ben Zekri (FC Bastia), Radhi Jaïdi (Birmingham City), Yassine Mikari (Grasshopers), Khalil Chamem (EST)

Midfielders: Jawher Mnari (Nurnberg), Majdi Traoui (Red Bulls Salzburg), Anis Boujélbane (Al Ahly), Mohammed Ali Nafkha (ESS), Houcine Ragued (Mons), Fahd Ben Khalfallah (Caen), Wissem Ben Yahia (CA), Oussama Darragi (EST), Tijani Belaid (Slavia Prague), Chaouki Ben Saada (OG Nice)

Strikers: Hichem Essifi (USMO), Amine Chermiti (Hertha Berlin), Silva Dos Santos (Sochaux), Mehdi Ben Dhifallah (ESS), Issam Jemaa (Lens), Youssef Mouihbi (CA)

Noticeable Additions:

1. Fahd Ben Khalfallah: After finally signing at a Ligue I team and restating his desire to play for the Carthage Eagles, the right sided midfielder is back in the “list elargie” of our National team. Now let’s see if he actually plays for us this time around.

2. Mohammed Ali Nafkha: I didn’t see Etoile’s last game but I did see their first game of the season against CA and he was their best player on the field. Looks like Coelho was watching too.

3. Anis Boujelbene: There’s a reason Al Ahly’s coach, Manuel Jose, didn’t let him come back to EST. He’s got quality but it may be a sign of things to come rather than a chance at a real call up. You never know though.

4. Radhi Jaidi: Seems like when it comes to Jaidi you either love him or hate him. For all his experience and commitment through the years he deserves to be considered as long as he is healthy and willing to play. I still think it’s time to opt for youth with a Haggui/Ghzel or Haggui/Felhi partnership in the middle. Seems like a quicker and more agile tandem that is looking towards the future instead of dwelling on the past.

5. Tijani Belaid: Almost everyone was left scratching their heads before the Angola game when he was left off the list. One of our best midfielders and he is in top form for his club right now, scoring two fantastic goals in a Czech league match last weekend.

6. Bilel Ifa: Our former U17 starlet is maturing nicely and showing he can even add left back to his resume at CA (he’s primarily a right sided defender). My take on this is he will probably not make the final list but is being considered in order to encourage him to continue his remarkable progression. He’s got all the skills and is finally bringing some physicality to his play, which was the main knock on him before.

7. Hichem Essifi: One of Lemerre’s mystery callups returns. I don’t say mystery call up because he is undeserving but just because Lemerre preferred him to Mouihbi at the end of his last match which didn’t make much sense to anyone but the Frenchman.

8. Issam Jemaa: Not sure about his situation with his relegated club but he must be doing something if Coelho is even thinking about him. We’ll wait and see on this one (because honestly we don’t have a choice do we?).

The Absences:

Zouhaier Dhaouadi: Just when you thought he was finally getting his chance, he’s nowhere to be found. I’m dissapointed for him but I think that Tijani Belaid is in better form right now which is why Coelho opted for this decision. He’s young and will have other chances in the future I’m sure.

Others that were in the previous preliminary list but didn’t make it into this one for whatever reason are: Hatem Bejaoui (ESS), Ahmed Hammi (EST), Chadi Hammami (CSS), Hamed Namouchi (injured), Mehdi Nafti (Birmingham), and Aymen Abdennour (ESS).

So there you have it. 30 players and only 23 places for a crucial tie against Burkina Faso in Ouagadougou. Those selected will be announced by Coelho on Thursday at a press conference held at the FTF headquarters.

I hope you all enjoy the caricature of our coach when he used to play for Benfica as much as I do. Apparently dude was a rock in defense back in the day. I’m still crossing my fingers that he decides to grow that mustache back! I’ll settle for a world cup qualification instead though. Not too much to ask right?

Anyways, what say you? Who do you think won’t make the cut?