Tunisian Duo Get MTN Honors

Yassine Chikhaoui and Saber Ben Frej have been named in MTN’s team of the tournament. Being that MTN is the main sponsor of the African Cup, it’s not the biggest deal in the world but it’s nice for our players to get recognition anyways. Yassine is also mentioned in another article on the website alongside Amine Chermiti. There is mention to a Fenerbahce approach for an eventual transfer but given the names that have been associated with our starlet, I doubt he’ll end up there. At least I hope not. My preference would be for him to go to Spain, England, or Italy (in that order). For now I’ll be happy enough to see him strut his stuff with FC Zurich in the UEFA Cup and continue to raise his value game by game. I have a feeling he’ll come back “en force” since he’ll no longer be playing out of position like he was for Tunisia and will once again have a license to invent in midfield like only he knows how.

Meanwhile, Chermiti is being linked with both Ajax Amsterdam (this one I knew about before) and (catch your breath), Barcelona. The “sources” MTN is referring to is actually the french magazine L’equipe that wrote an article about him in their Journal de la CAN. I can’t find the article in question but I assure you I read it. While I think Ajax makes a lot of sense (a team with a great history of developing talent and giving chances to youngsters. plus Huntelaar will surely be gone after this season), I think that Barcelona might be a step too high. Not that I don’t trust his ability, I just think that it’d be better to do what Chikhaoui is doing successfully right now.

Remember Chi5a bypassed Marseille and others to go to Switzerland in order to be guaranteed playing time and now the Bayer Munichs and Juventuses of the world are thinking about him (and so many more). Then again, if Barcelona comes knocking, can you really turn them down? It’s an interesting debate to say the least. I’m just partial to going somewhere where you can assert yourself in the starting lineup while adjusting the the European lifestyle. He’s very young so it’s not like he’s running out of time or something…

Speaking of running out of time, a lot of people are really surprised to hear that Saber Ben Frej is 28 years old. I knew this a while ago but I have to say that when I found out it was a shock to me too. His speed and even his physique would have you believing he’s 24 max. He made Le Mans look like geniuses by signing him right before the African Cup started. His quality is undeniable and I’m sure Marseille are kicking themselves for not being successful in their attempts to acquire his signature. If he gets his chance on the field at Le Mans, I know he’ll make an instant impact. Best of luck to him!

So Did Lemerre Leave or Not?

I’m confused about the Lemerre situation. First I read on Kooora.com that he’s gone and then I hear nothing about it on mosaique and nothing about it in the various Tunisian newspapers on the net. La Presse and Le Temps do make mention to him being on the shortlist to take over for Morocco. I guess he’s taken a liking for the Maghreb region huh? Not sure if we can completely confirm what the deal is with this. Maybe Dimanche Sport tomorrow will provide us with some more insight. One thing is for sure, after stuff like this happened before the tournament started and how most of the fans are laying the blame for our exit on him, I’d be very surprised if he ended up not resigning.

Some Videos

The Return of the Eagles to Tunis

Yemshi Weyji, Winou Ghzali Finou Houwa (I’ve been looking for this song forever and I find it on a Chikhaoui compilation… figures)

A Look at Saber Ben Fraj (this one has been around for a while but if you haven’t seen it yet, enjoy)