GHANA 2008 PREVIEW : Tunisia VS Angola

The Carthage Eagles will have their hands full in this encounter against a team that had until fairly recently been regarded as “minnows” in the continent’s football scene.

However, the omens are good. The Tunisians showed predatory abilities to pounce on some very slack defending by the South Africans in their last group game, with Yassine Chikhaoui the chief tormentor for the eventual victors.

In truth, the Bafana Bafana players did not show enough determination on the day, and during the only period that they made attempts on the Tunisian goal, the inexperienced strike-force squandered the chances.

That masked the fact that the Tunisian defence is a nervous one, with their penchant for committing unnecessary errors posing a serious threat to their campaign. This lapse could become very important when they face the strong strike force of the Angolans in today’s encounter.

Coach Roger Lemerre has disciplinary concerns, with strikers Francileudo Dos Santos, Kamel Zaiem, defender Ben Fraj and midfielder Mejdi Traoui all one booking away from missing out on a possible quarter-final encounter against powerhouses Cameroon or Egypt.

However, he has pacy and skillful striker Amine Chermiti back for this one, after he served his two-match ban for a red card he received in the team’s last qualifying game.

The striker will have to watch his temperament though, as the referee who was responsible for issuing his red card, Coffi Codja, will officiate today's game.

The Tunisians will come into this encounter knowing that a draw will be good enough for them to progress through to the quarter final stage but can they get it? Or will they go the way of Mali? We'll find out today.

Angolan Hope

With three goals in only two games for his country at the tournament so far, Manucho is looking every inch a legend in the making.

The Palancas Negras came into this tournament as veritable dark horses, and have become a dreaded force after two fantastic displays against South Africa and group favorites Senegal.

There is no guessing how far this team will go in the championship, and with their determined and exquisite brand of football, the Angolans have proven themselves to be a team worthy of respect.

Coach Oliviera Goncalves’s decision to leave out star midfielder Figueiredo in favour of Andre in the game against Senegal seemed to have paid great dividends as the team appeared to be highly inspired, bossing the midfield with ease.

The team will go into this game also knowing a draw should get them through, but the pressure is more on Tunisia's shoulders, as they are still favourites.

There are club rivalries at play in this one, with Al Ahli’s Flavio and Gilberto set to face some members of the Etoile du Sahel squad that denied them the CAF champion’s league last year.

The Tunisians have history on their side however with regards to confrontation between the two sides in the past. The sides have met on four occasions previously, with the Tunisians winning three times and the other game ending in a draw.

TEAM NEWS

TUNISIA

With the availability of Amine Chermiti, it would seem Roger Lemerre would want to keep Dos Santos on the bench for this game, considering the Brazilian-born forward's booking. But how Chermiti bonds with the team is another worry for the French coach.

Majdi Traoui ,who is also on a yellow card, will surely be replaced by the strong Chaker Zouaghi in the middle of the pack. Also, Jaohar Mnari, who suffered a slight knock in the game against South Africa should return to the left side of midfield.

In goal we should expect to see Hamdi Kasraoui, who has so far conceded three goals in the tournament.

The defence is set to see Radhouane Felhi replacing Ben Fraj ,since he is also on a yellow card. He should pair up with skipper Radhi Jaidi. Swiss-based Yassine Mikari and Karim Hagui should complete the defence line-up.

The midfield should be headed by Medhi Nafti, along with Chaker Zouaghi and Jawhar M’Nari.

Mohammed Amine Chermiti should return to the attack, joining Issam Jemaa in the starting line up. The impressive Yassine Chakaoui should come on later in the encounter.

Roger Lemerre is set to send out a 4-4-2 formation for this one.

Squad

Hamdi Kasraoui (Espérance Tunisia), Adel Nefzi (Clubafricain, Tunisia), Aymen Mathlouthi (Etoile du Sahel, Tunisia), Wissem Abdi (Zamalek, Egypt), Sabeur Ben Frej (Etoile du Sahel, Tunisia), Karim Hagui (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Yassine Mikari (Grasshopper, Switzerland), Seif Ghezal (Etoile du Sahel, Tunisia) Mehdi Meriah (Etoile du Sahel, Tunisia), Radhouane Felhi (Etoile du Sahel, Tunisia), Radhi Jaidi (Birmingham City, England), Wissem Bekri (Espérance, Tunisia), Chaouki Ben Saada (FC Bastia, France), Jawhar M'Nari (FC Nuremberg, Germany), Mehdi Nafti (Birmingham City, England), Kamel Zaiem (Espérance, Tunisis), Chaker Zouaghi (Locomotive Moscow, Russia), Majdi Traoui (Etoile du Sahel, Tunisia), Yassine Chikhaoui (FC Zurich), Silva Dos Santos (FC Toulouse, France), Issam Jemaa (FC Caen, France), Mohamed Amine Chermiti (Etoile du Sahel, Tunisia), Mehdi Ben Dhifallah (Etoile du Sahel, Tunisia)

ANGOLA

Coach Oliviera Goncalves would be impressed with the performance of his side in the comeback victory over Senegal, and we should expect him to send out almost the same squad. The probable exclusions could be Flavio and talented midfielder Andre, based on the yellow cards they picked up in the Senegal clash.

In between the goal posts we should expect to see Joao Lama, who has done well so far for the Angolans.

The defence is likely to be marshaled by Rui Marques and Kali, with Marco Airosa and Yamba Asha providing support from the flanks.

In the midfield we should expect the return of team skipper Figueiredo, who would be joined by Ze Kalanga, Mendonca and Gilberto.

The attack line is set to have star forward Manucho, probably alongside Mateus of Boavista.

Squad

Lama (Petro Atletico), Mario (InterClube), Nuno (AS Aviacao), Marco Airosa (Fatima), Delgado (Metz), Jamba (AS Aviacao), Kali (FC Sion), Loco (Primeiro Agosto), Machado (Anadia), Rui Marques (Leeds United), Yamba Asha (Petro Atletico), Andre (Kuwait SC), Dede, Edson (both Pacos Ferreira), Figueiredo (Osters), Gilberto (Al Ahly), Maurito (Kuwait SC), Mendonca (Estrela Amadora), Ze Kalanga (Boavista), Flavio (Al Ahly), Love (Primeiro Agosto), Manucho (Petro Atletico), Mateus (Boavista)

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Tunisia - Chermiti Amine: The 20-year-old has been raring to go at this tournament, but has been restricted by his suspension. He has the pace and a skill to trouble any defence, and was largely responsible for Etoile du Sahel’s success at last year’s African Champions League.

Angola - Manucho: Who can doubt the prolific nature of this Manchester United-bound youngster? He has shown some great composure in front of goal so far, and with the possible exclusion of Flavio from the squad, he will be the player Angolans would be looking up to for the goals.

PREDICTION

This game is sure going to be a cracker, against all odds: With both sides knowing a draw would just be sufficient to take them through; expectations would be that they would both take it easy with each other. But I don’t expect that to happen in this game today. Pride, and first place, are at stake.

The battle for the midfield will be intense, and the winner of that battle should deservedly win the war. I would give this encounter to the Angolans: they have grown with each game, and there teamplay seems to have developed rapidly as well. They have a very good understanding of each other, and that is an essential attribute for success.

Tunisia 1 - 2 Angola