Tunisia vs. Angola: The Preview

The View From the Carthage Eagle’s Nest

Following our win versus the South Africans, many were asking how we would approach our next game with Amine Chermiti finally available and yellow cards becoming an issue for some players. Well, according to Mosaique FM and other reports from various newspapers Chermiti will replace the Santos in the lineup. While it seems a little odd to leave Santos on the bench after he finally rediscovered his scoring touch, there is no denying the fact that Amine Chermiti can bring a lot to this team. Plus if you listen to Lemerre, he is quick to point out that Santos has a yellow… The only question with Chermiti is how long it will take him to adapt to the team as he hasn’t been competing in real games for a while now. Knowing his combative nature and winning attitude (not to mention his crazy speed and skills), I wouldn’t worry about him. Plus he’s been working extra hard in practice to stay match fit. Hear what he has to say about his return here.

While the inclusion of Chermiti seemed a no brainer, the exclusion of Chikhaoui from the starting lineup might have some people scratching their heads. I honestly don’t know how I feel about it. As a spectator I always want him on the field but I think from a coaching perspective they’re thinking of the next round already. Lemerre’s press conference supports this theory. This is dangerous territory but I would be very surprised if we didn’t qualify from this group with things as they stand and I’m guessing Lemerre shares that opinion. I think this supports the notion that Jemaa and Chikhaoui really don’t work well together on the field. I was much more convinced by the Ben Saada/Chikhaoui pairing and sure enough Ben Saada is also out of the squad with Zaiem taking his place. Zaiem’s presence changed some things in the Senegal match even though he didn’t get his feet on that many balls. He has an offensive attitude which is a plus but all of this seems to be a bit of a gamble by Lemerre who is counting on an untested group to get a positive result against Angola. Say what you want about his atrocious people skills but so far in this tournament, he’s won his gambles on the field. Let’s hope he continues to do so.

In defense I thought I would see Felhi take the place of Ben Fraj since he received a caution in the last match but so far journalists who watch the training sessions are reporting otherwise. There’s still a slight chance this could happen… If we keep him in, we give our right side a huge boost. Unfortunately he won’t be linking up nicely with Etoile teamate, Traoui who has been replaced in the lineup by the solid yet uncreative Zouaghi. Meanwhile, Mnari is injury free despite a slight knock in the last game that forced him off. He will continue to play out of position on the left and try to do a better job offering support to Mikari who gets better every time i see him.

The changing around of the team for the third game of an African Cup cannot help but bring back bad memories of the 2006 edition where everything was going fine until Lemerre decided to field a retooled team in the final group game against Guinea and we lost 3-0. Many said this led to a loss of confidence that affected us against Nigeria and helped precipitate our exit. I can understand why people think of this but, to be fair, the situation is much different now. In 2006 we already had a starting eleven that everyone agreed on and that is far from the case now. Therefore, retooling doesn’t seem like the worst idea. Chikhaoui could use some rest after everything he’s given and depending on how this game progresses he can eventually replace Jemaa if we need him to. Those with opposing views will be quick to point out that Drogba was a starter in the last Ivory Coast game even though they were already qualified… Also, we don’t want Traoui to pick up another yellow as he will be important to have on the right side in the next game. Santos has a yellow too… Let’s not forget that in 2004 when we won the tournament, everyone but the third string goalie was used at some point or other. I think it’s positive that we’re showing we can put faith in more than just 14 players or so.

Finally there are some interesting subplots to this game as Flavio and Gilberto of Angola will certainly recognize the Etoile contingent that beat their club side Al Ahly in the African Champions League a few months ago. Also, in what is possibly the weirdest coincidence ever, Chermiti is well aware that this game will be referreed by none other than Kofi Kodjia, the man who gave him a straight red card in our last qualifier against Sudan (resulting in his suspension). I’m sure he’s warned his teamates that they better be on their best behavior as this referee is notorious amongst Etoile fans for his supposed dislike of arabs. We don’t want to see what happened to Morocco happen to us so let’s hope that we leave no chances for anyone to take advantage of us. The word out of the Tunisia camp is that they really want to stay in Tamale in order to face Cameroon on what they feel has become their home stadium, rather than travel and face defending champions Egypt. Honestly I’m not worried about the next game yet. For now we must concentrate fully on the task at hand as we are not qualified yet and anything in football is possible.

The Opposition

The opponents are none other than fellow World Cup 2006 qualifiers Angola. Even before they thumped Senegal, this is a team that many tipped as the dark horse of this group. They are on an upwards curve and will be the next hosts of the African Cup in 2010 so they are desperate to impress. In Flavio Amado, Manucho, and Maurito, they boast of some very impressive attacking talent. The thing about this team that worries me is that they play no holds barred football with no fear of their opponent. Coming back against Senegal in the second half like that doesn’t happen if a team is not mentality tough and it is clear that their coach, Luis Oliveira Goncalves, knows how to motivate his players. Another thing about Angola is that they seem to have a chip on their shoulder and a desire to prove that they are one of African Football’s rising powers. The Angolan coach says that the pressure is on us, giving that we’re title candidates.

Expected Lineup

GK: Kasraoui
Defense: Ben Fradj, Haggui, Jaïdi, Mikari
Midfield: Zouaghi, Nafti, Mnari, Zaïem
Strikers: Chermiti, Jemâa

The Lowdown on Qualification

A draw would see us take first place while only a 2-0 loss coupled with a 3-0 win by Senegal versus South Africa would see us crash out of the competition (correct me if my math is wrong!). Unlikely yes, but not outside of the realm of possibility.

Allez Louled Jiboulna El Premiere Place!