World Cup 2010

International Friendly Preview: Tunisia – Cote d’Ivoire

The Carthage Eagles host the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire on Wednesday in what promises to be an entertaining warm up for their crucial World Cup qualifier versus Nigeria, which will be played in Abuja on September 6. The Ivorians will use the match to prepare for their potentially decisive match versus group rivals Burkina Faso...

Aug 11, 2009 1:07:57 PM

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Wednesday, August 12, 2009, 20:10 CET,
Stade Olympique de Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia

The North Africans Choose Their Opponents Wisely

Under former coach Roger Lemerre, much had been said about Tunisia’s penchant for picking modest sparring partners ahead of important match-ups. However, since the arrival of Humberto Coelho, such a criticism surely cannot be made - and the selection of Cote d’Ivoire as their future opponents should serve as proof.

The Tunisians are well aware that their next World Cup qualifier versus Nigeria in Abuja on September 6 will not be a simple affair, and to prepare for such a heavyweight clash they have done the right thing by deciding to measure themselves against the top-ranked team on the African continent and perhaps the most talented side as well.

Not only are the two West African nations close geographically but even the styles of play put forth by their European-based stars are similar. The only drawback for the North Africans is that the match could not be played in Abidjan as they had initially hoped. Such a boisterous environment would have allowed for ideal preparation for the stressful setting in which they will have to do battle against the Super Eagles.

Instead, the Carthage Eagles will get a chance to play in front of their supporters in the South of the country that very seldom get to see their national team perform given the Tunisian Football Federation’s tendency to schedule matches exclusively in Tunis over the past six years.

Most importantly, Humberto Coelho will get a chance to test any number of strategies and formations before he decides which ones should be utilised on September 6 when a World Cup berth is on the line.

The Elephants Must Remain Vigilant

Though they currently have gathered a maximum of nine points after three matches in World Cup qualifying and are very well positioned to earn their second successive ticket to a FIFA World Cup, the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire can count themselves somewhat lucky to have emerged from Ouagadougou with a win versus Burkina Faso on June 20.

The fight put forth by the Stallions in the match which finished 3-2 in favour of Didier Drogba and company should have served as a serious warning of the stern test that is awaiting the Ivorians in Abidjan when they face off against the same opponents once more. While a win will essentially guarantee their place in South Africa 2010, a loss will reopen the race for one of Africa’s most surprising teams.

Ironically, the signs of Burkina Faso’s improvement under the watchful eye of Paulo Duarte were first put on display in Tunisia during the previous round of qualifying when the West Africans stunned the Carthage Eagles in Rades Stadium and forced them to get to the final stage as a second seed.

Now Cote d’Ivoire get a chance to put the North Africans to the test and see how much they have improved since that dismal display. Despite currently being the top-ranked team on the continent, the Ivorians are not impervious to mistakes and will have to continually better themselves if they are to truly become the dominant force everyone knows they are capable of being given, the talent at their disposal.

Furthermore, they have lost their last two games against North African opposition and will be looking to make up for those defeats (one of which was against Tunisia in Bondoufle, France on March 26, 2008).

TEAM NEWS

Tunisia

FIFA’s rule change regarding players of dual nationality being able to change allegiances after their 21st birthday has allowed Humberto Coelho to call up Nabil Taider who missed out on playing in the 2006 World Cup with the Carthage Eagles because of his age. Now the former Toulouse midfielder will get his chance to show that he is worthy of a place in the team.

Meanwhile, Jamel Saihi was initially called up but has been dropped by Coelho due to an ankle injury he sustained last week in practice with Montpellier. However, the good news is that Etoile Sportive du Sahel’s rearranged travel itinerary for their upcoming CAF Champions League match versus Heartlands in Nigeria will allow both goalkeeper Aymen Mathlouthi and central defender Ammar Jemal to represent their country on Wednesday when it was first thought they would have to miss the encounter. Another notable addition is that of Chaouki Ben Saada who has been in fine form for Nice.

Squad: Hamdi Kasraoui, Aymen Mathlouthi, Jassem Khalloufii, Khaled Souissi, Ammar Jemal, Yamen Ben Zekri, Radhouène Felhi, Seif Ghzel, Karim Haggui, Bilel Iffa, Khalil Chammem, Yassine Mikari, Chaouki Ben Saada, Khaled Korbi, Wissem Ben Yahia, Chadi Hammami, Fahid Ben Khalfallah, Houcine Ragued, Nabil Taïder, Oussama Darragi, Issam Jemaa, Sami Allagui, Mohamed Ali Ghariani, Ali Zitouni

Cote d’Ivoire

Vahid Halilhodzic has shown how seriously he is taking the encounter by the sheer number of players he has called up for the match. While superstars like Toure Yaya, Didier Drogba, and Salomon Kalou naturally all made the list, it is the additions of Yao Kouassi Gervais and Young Boys’ Seydou Doumbia that are the most interesting in terms of sheer novelty and potential.

Squad: Barry Boubacar, Zogbo Aristide, Sangare Ali Badra, Kone Ibrahim, Angoua Brou Benjamin, Eboue Emmanuel, Lolo Igor Alexandre, Tiene Siaka, Boka Arthur, Kolo Toure, Meite Abdoulaye, Demel Guy Roland, Bamba Souleman, Gohouri Steve, Zoro Marc, Toure Yaya, Zokora Didier, N’Dri Koffi Romaric, Fae Emerse, Kone Kouamatien, Gosso Gosso Jacques, Tiote Cheik, Coulibaly Kafoumba, Bakari Kone, Keita Abdul Kader, Aruna Dindane, Yao Kouassi Gervais, Kalou Salomon, Drogba Didier, Sanogo Boubacar, Arouna Kone, Cisse Sekou, Seydou Doumbia

PREDICTION

Given the importance of the qualifiers which the teams are preparing for, the atmosphere is expected to resemble just such a competitive match, rather than just another run-of-the-mill friendly. Such a situation doesn’t particularly favour either side, but the fans in Sousse should receive ample entertainment when one takes into consideration the collective quality of both sides and the individualities within each of them. This is a tough one to call but you’d be hard pressed to find someone who believes it will finish goalless.

Tunisia 2-2 Cote d’Ivoire

Rami Ayari, Goal.com

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