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Tunisia vs. Senegal: The Preview

January 22nd, 2008 | By: Rami | 31 Comments »

We’ve been made to wait in anticipation longer than most to see our team get their tournament underway but finally the day is essentially upon us. The stakes are high and everyone knows it. This match won’t make or break our tournament but it cannot be denied that a win would be tremendous for team morale that is already reported to be sky high (plus the 3 points never hurt!). Just from the interviews and pictures that I’ve been seeing coming out of Ghana, it’s easy to tell that this group has a huge amount of solidarity which is a great sign. Each and everyone of them insist that they are going to leave everything out there on the pitch.

I expect tomorrows game to be a very tough one for both Tunisia and Senegal as we have a history of tight and tense encounters where the game is won on small details. When El Hadji Diouf was being interviewed by Tunisian reporters the day his team arrived in Ghana he said something that I found quite funny yet strangely accurate: “Tunisie-Senegal, c’est une vielle histoire d’amour.” Despite the grin, there wasn’t even a real hint of sarcasm there. The players know each other quite well and him and Radhi Jaidi were teamates and good friends at Bolton (they still stay in touch). For a second it reminded me that this is still only just a game. Yet it is a game in which we must fight our hardest. If you think back to the last time we faced Senegal in 2004, you know that Diouf’s words should also be taken with a grain of salt as our matches are always very physical. The last one (which was just as much memorable for the fog as it was for the result) turned nasty too and a fight nearly broke out. Nevertheless, there’s lots of mutual respect on both sides.

Before demanding a win I’d rather demand a solid performance and some attractive/entertaining football. If our Carthage Eagles supply that I will be satisfied and hopefully the result will follow. It’s been a tough couple of years for our national team but tomorrow our boys have the chance to wipe the slate clean. We already proved this year (technically last year) that Tunisian football is in good shape as Etoile and CSS swept the African club titles. Now let’s see if our NT can follow suit and make us proud.

The Good News

Mosaique FM reports that despite earlier claims he would be unavailable, Issam Jemaa will play in tomorrows encounter after being passed fit in todays training session. If he is at one hundred percent or even 90 percent(Nabil Maaloul seems convinced of this), this is a huge boost to the attack which will benefit greatly from his speed on the left hand side. It remains to be seen whether he has regained all his capabilities but you would hope that Lemerre learned his lesson from Germany 2006 when he started players that were well below their normal level just because he didn’t want to take chances on those who were physically ready yet inexperienced on the international stage.

The Not So Good News

Mehdi Nafti is indeed injured and will not take part. The injury is one he picked up in our last preparation match in Tunis and despite four days rest, it’s still hampering him a little. This is a tough blow as he’s one of our most experienced players and best tacklers. He is expected to be replaced by Majdi Traoui in the starting lineup and though this worries me a little I’ll wait until after the game to make a judgment on how that went. This could very well turn out to be a good thing as it may force us to play more offensive to take some pressure off of Traoui on the defensive end where he’s not as solid as Nafti. It’s hard to tell how this one is going to turn out because I don’t have a real frame of reference when it comes to Traoui and the NT. Not doubting his skill, just hoping he fits in.

Probable Lineup

Apart from left back, the names are all certain. Left back is undecided because apparently Mikari hasn’t adapted very well to the heat and humidity in Ghana. He grew up in Switzerland remember? We’ll see what happens. Not sure whether Chikhaoui will in fact be in midfield but I’m putting him there in the hopes that Roger Lemerre will see the light… Speaking of Lemerre, apparently he’s become a lot friendlier in Ghana. Tunisian reporters are marveling at the humanity and kindness that he’s exhibiting in interviews and with Ghanaian fans who come to see our boys training sessions. That’s what I like to hear! Listen to the Sport Express from 22:00 if you don’t believe me.

GK: Hamdi El Kasraoui
Defense: Saber Ben Fraj, Karim Hagui, Radhi Jaidi, Wissem Bekri (or Yassine Mikari)
Midfield: Jawhar Mnari Chaker Zouaghi, Majdi Traoui, Yassine Chikhaoui
Strikers: Issam Jemaa and Dos Santos Silva

One Last Detail

This doesn’t have to do with the team but it does have to do with the blog. Unfortunately, I have work tomorrow and though I considered calling in sick, it dawned on me that one of these days I may actually get ill and those sick days could come in handy! So I will not be watching the match live which means that my post match report will come later than usual (I’m gonna watch a game and then go play a game in the indoor league I just joined). Thankfully I’ve subscribed to Telesud.us so by the time I come home tomorrow I should be able to watch everything as it happened. Whatever the result, you’ll hear from me eventually.

I look forward to hearing your comments abut how you’re feeling on the eve of this great matchup and then your postgame opinions.

Allez Louled Jibouha! Inshallah Marbou7a! Na7na Wrakom ou Rabbi M3akom!!!

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 31 comments.

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By Nasri | January 22nd, 2008 at 11:52 pm

yalla ya tunis far7ouna ya luled rana twensa wen7ebbu tunis . jaziri is not with u .IT’S A VERY BIG MISTAKE BUT NEVER MIND

Posted from United Kingdom

By Skander | January 23rd, 2008 at 3:00 am

A somewhat unrelated question, does anybody konw how to get an authentic replica national team shirt? The puma website is still carrying the WC 2006 shirt, and in Tunisia they only sell knockoffs. I find it ironic that in Tunisia you can’t get an authentic national team shirt even if you’re willing to pay the 120$ or 130$ they cost. Makes you long for the old days when the NT was sponsored by Lotto…..

Posted from Japan

By Daily Dose 1.23.08 - World Cup Blog - African Cup of Nations 2008 | January 23rd, 2008 at 8:00 am

[...] Carthage Eagles vs Lions of Teranga preview (Tunisia Blog) [...]

Posted from United States

By Adam | January 23rd, 2008 at 8:45 am

I just hope they play right! Its how we kick off… since Nafti is out we need a more aggressive approach, Definitly! Are you Sure Joumaa Is playing… He s a strong asset in front… We’ll have to see!!

Posted from Malta

By Lemerre | January 23rd, 2008 at 9:16 am

To all my fellow tunisians:
why blame lemerre when tunisian football really sucks, players haveno discipline, spectators are rude and uncivilized. But let’s not forget about the faggot Bel Ali who dictates who should play and who should not.
Tunisian soccer is dead, no hope. Let’s not blame Lemerre, even Allah can not help Tunisia.
Tunisian players should go hem and sell lablabi.
Vive Morocco!
Lemerre

By Ben Ali | January 23rd, 2008 at 9:20 am

Dear Lemerre:
I warned you before from writing negative comments in the Net, I will be waiting for you at the airport. I will teach how to talk about me and my beloved team (see you soon!).
Besides: why morocco?

By fofa | January 23rd, 2008 at 1:12 pm

haha you made me laugh Lemerre that’s why in 2004 we won the Africa Cup of Nations because the players were full from eating lablabi and this is what will happen in this term Inchallah. Later bro;).

Posted from United States

By fofa | January 23rd, 2008 at 1:54 pm

http://www.d1g.com/video/show/?id=1717119 (FIRST GOAL by Essam GOMAA)

http://www.d1g.com/video/show/?id=1717100 (FIRST GOAL by SAL):(

Posted from United States

By Ben Ali | January 23rd, 2008 at 2:00 pm

Fofa:
This is Ben Ali here, Lemerre is going to the whole as soon as he gets home: no Lablabi for him. I am also disappointed at the playes: 40 days of jail and no Lablabi or Harissa.
Ben Ali

By fofa | January 23rd, 2008 at 2:06 pm

Ben Ali i don’t understand what your saying?! .. anyway i found this online and I said let me share it with you guys..

http://www.d1g.com/video/show/?id=1717231 ( GOAL by Trawi)

Posted from United States

By Moni | January 23rd, 2008 at 4:09 pm

According to BCC : But there was no doubt that Senegal had been the better team overall.

Tunisia JBOURA Fuckball,heheheh
Trying to win match with one hand in your underpants at your balls ..
That doesn’t work. To be honoust there where no surprises.
Rare starting 11. Kasraoui had luck today, Senegal had 2 a 3 good chances
that went wide.

very defensive line up , I havent seen chikhaoui? only at the end of the match , No good passing, lack of techinical good long rang passing, to many mistakes , not much chances created.

They only thing that i saw was chaos in the midfield, no passing ore interaction between the players, compared to the 2004 squad there were allots of good passing.

Lack of fast reorietation/switching when having ball possesion . Some one who can cut thrue the defense of oposing squad, by passing ore cros passing (benachour !!)Ben saada also but this players is allways left on the bench.

why does the goalkeeper always kick the ball forward, in many times the ball go’s out ore get in the feet of senegal defense, not only in this match , but in every match. Why not give the ball to midfielder ore defender who has to build up play, but midfielders are scared , the match showed that they have a play -back-to-the -defenders- atitude .
And not go forward. very Clumpsy

Before people want to critisice me , for what I have to say , go send fax ore Email to tunisian FA complain about this Pouvre Equipe.

JAZIRI and BENACHOUR left out for nothing

Posted from Netherlands

By Ben Ali | January 23rd, 2008 at 6:27 pm

The Tunisian team is in bad shape, they won in 2004 by force, intimidation and acting a cry babies. This year, they have to earn victory, if there is any. As you can see from the start, they blamed Lemerre just in case they loose, the players will not take responsibility for their incompetence and arrogance.
How can a team win when players have a complete disregard for coach, the referees and the adversary?
It is over for Tunisia, the era of Lablabi and Harissa is gone for good, Morocco is going to represent North Africa.
Vive Morocco!!!
A dieu Tunisia

Posted from United States

By rev | January 23rd, 2008 at 6:56 pm

you cant talk about tunisia in this way,, we represent one nation and one people ,, we have to support all arabian and muslim soccer teams,, there is no difference between tunisia,maroc, egypt and sudan,, please dont poste wrong jugements and think wisly

By rev | January 23rd, 2008 at 7:04 pm

and for BEN ALI and MONI please dont post big words and respect the others

By Ben Ali | January 23rd, 2008 at 8:01 pm

Rev:
I am just stating the facts about an ailing team, that never had a reputation for playing soccer. I am very respectful Dude.
Ben Ali

Posted from United States

By Moni | January 23rd, 2008 at 8:25 pm

We have the best Ligue in Africa and Arab world, we have many good players that are skill full.
Since 2002 , before Lemerre, Tunisian Ligue football was in progres , footballers where better traint and a new generation of players upcomming.
You only have to let um on the pitch in de right combination.
Lemerre didn’t…

Posted from Netherlands

By marwen | January 23rd, 2008 at 9:21 pm

maybe you guys should go watch الشوط الثالث
lots of things about the game explained, unless you don’t understand arabic, don’t watch

By marwen | January 23rd, 2008 at 9:22 pm

opps forgot to give you guys the link, here it is:
there are 8 parts
http://www.dailymotion.com/avigon/video/x458z7_tv7_sport

By Rami | January 24th, 2008 at 1:41 am

Thanks for the link Marwen. I love that show.

Posted from United States

By Ben Ali | January 24th, 2008 at 2:20 am

Marwan:
I watched the clip, the hostess is clueless about soccer, the guests that she had were afraid to point out who is at fault, and they were just referring to right side instead of mentioning players’ names.
This is support my assertion that Tunisian players are out of control and do not respect anyone.
Leila Trabelsi (Hajama) will joint the team soon: she is the only hope here.
Ben Ali

By Rami | January 24th, 2008 at 8:10 am

Yo Ben Ali, can we keep this about soccer/football and leave politics aside? I’m afraid this isn’t exactly the right forum for that. I know you have the right to free speech but I would really appreciate it if you stuck to talking about the match and your opinion of what happened and what will happen next in the tournament. What makes you say “Tunisian players are out of control and do not respect anyone.” Like everything in life you can’t make sweeping generalizations and be correct. Negative and positive viewpoints are welcome but please do me this one favor and stick to talking about our team. Thanks for your interest in the blog.

Posted from United States

By Lemerre | January 24th, 2008 at 4:20 pm

Ben Ali: With all due repect, you run the team yourself through Nabil Malooul and other. The players are weak and hopless, there is nothing I can do to make them play; they just do not have what it takes to play and win.
I am almost out, I got all my money and I think it is time to depart Tunisia, I will miss the Lablabi and the Harrissa.

Posted from United States

By Ben Ali | January 24th, 2008 at 5:32 pm

Lemerre:
It may not be as easy as you planned, you still did not finish your contract. I have to approve your departure, and guess what: I won’t.
Now if you take new measures and bring the African Cup, I will be willing to forgive you.
Ben Ali

Posted from United States

By Lemerre | January 27th, 2008 at 12:17 am

Ben Ali:
Tunisia is going home tomorrow, Libya could have a better chance at advancing. Even Algeria with a handicapped team will have a better chance.
Lemerre

By kadhri haythem | January 30th, 2008 at 2:18 pm

well, the only people who knows tunisia is tunisians ,,so even we don’t have a great players but we do have a great will and when there is a will there is a way,,and we will find a way to get there just like we did in 2004 .
Only tunisian play with this will,that red and white shirt ,that star and the moon ,the ten million people waiting in tunisia for the victory …….thats how we think , we dont think like you maroc and we only represent our beautiful country tunisia the eagles of carthage.
Remember this ”we are going to the final” chmata fi nnabbara.

Posted from United States

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