Can 2008 Update : Cameroon Vs Tunisia

The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon have steadily grown in stature and gameplay since that opening game defeat at the hands of the Pharaohs of Egypt. This time, they face another North African foe that plays almost the same pattern as the Egyptians, and the Lions know that a loss here will mean a tournament exit.

The Lions have made easy meat of their last two opponents at the competition, trouncing the Chipolopolo boys of Zambia 5-1, and Eto’o breaking the all-time goal scoring record in the 3-0 victory over Sudan. Truthfully, though, they have not given a particularly strong performance in any of those matches.

The Cameroonians have had a quiet build up coming into this championship, unlike other editions where they were always touted amongst the favorites to lift the trophy. Indeed, they have been somewhat in the shadows of the likes of Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Egypt, and even Senegal.

This silent entry could be a tactical approach that could see the Lions entering into the finals “unnoticed”.

They would, however, have to get by the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia first.

The Tunisians come into this game as Group D leaders; a group that included the highly fancied Senegalese, Perreira’s South Africa and the strong Angolans. The Carthage Eagles were able to ward off all opposition from these teams to top the group.

The side has improved steadily as the tournament progressed and coach Roger Lemerre, who had come under serious criticisms coming into this championship, will be confident about his side’s chances ahead of this one.

These two sides are giants in African football - in the past four editions of the tournament, these two countries can account for three trophies. But the Cameroonians have failed to make it past the quarter-final stage in the last two editions, while the Tunisians could not in the last edition. This game would see one of them improving on their recent performance in the competition.

TEAM NEWS

Cameroon

The Lions will be have a full house for this game as they do not have injury worries, so I expect coach Otto Pfister to field a very strong side for this one.

Espanyol goalkeeper Carlos Idris Kameni should be in goal for the Lions.

The defensive line will be held by the “father” of Cameroonian football, Rigobert Song, alongside German-based defender Timothee Atouba, Reading’s Andre Bikey and Joel Epalle.

The midfield should be bossed by Newcastle’s Geremi Njitap, with support from Modeste Mbami, Alexandre Song and Achille Emana.

All-time ANC leading goal scorer Samuel Eto’o Fils would hope to extend his goal scoring tally today, and he would pair up with Joseph desire Job of Nice.

Coach Otto Pfister will line his wards out in a 4-4-2 formation for this game.

Tunisia

The Tunisians will probably be playing a mixed line up from two of their games played so far. They would most likely field the defence that played against the Teranga Lions of Senegal, with the attack line that devastated the South Africans.

That means Chermiti would be relegated back to the bench for Toulouse striker Santos. Medhi Nafti could miss this game: there are rumours that the player had a reoccurrence of an injury that left him out of the team’s opening game against Senegal.

The impressive Ben Fraj could also be left out of the starting line-up for the Tunisians in today’s game.

As for those who do play, in goal for the Tunisians should be Hamdi Kasraoui of Esperance.

The defence will be marshaled by Birmingham City’s Radhi Jaidi, alongside Karim Haggui of German club Bayer Leverkusen.

Radhouane Feldi of Etoile du Sahel and Wissem Bekri of Esperance would complete the back line for the Tunisians.

The midfield should expectedly be held by Joawhar M’Nari, Yassine Mikari, Medji Traore and Chaouki Ben Saada of Bastia in France.

Toulouse striker Francileudo dos Santos will pair with the highly talented Yassine Chikhaoui in attack for the Tunisians.

The Tunisians would also file out in a 4-4-2 formation pattern for this game.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Cameroon -Samuel Eto’o Fils: The Cameroonian striker has been in devastating form in this tournament, battering in five goals in only three matches so far. He will be the star man for the Indomitable Lions as they attempt to reach the semi finals for the first time in 6 years.

Tunisia - Francileudo dos Santos: The Toulouse man has been under-fire since his inclusion in Roger Lemerre’s squad, but a brace in his second game against South Africa has justified the striker's place in the team. He would be the man the Tunisians will look towards for the goals in today’s game.

PREDICTION

This game is going to be a fast-paced encounter as both teams have very pacey forwards. The Cameroonians have so far not been able to coordinate their midfield properly in the tournament, though, and this could count against them in this match.

However, they have the physical stamina to play on for a longer period than the Tunisians.

Whoever can keep up with the fast pace of the game up till the mid stages of the second period should carry the day. My best bet will be the Cameroonians for this one.

Cameroon 2:1 Tunisia

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