World Cup 2010

World Cup Qualifying Preview: Mozambique – Tunisia

The Carthage Eagles are ever so close to their fourth successive World Cup qualification but will have to overcome their last hurdle in Mozambique in order to be certain of passage to South Africa 2010.

Nov 11, 2009 3:20:17 PM

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Tunisia in action

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Kick-off: Saturday, November 14, 2009. 14:00 GMT.
Estadio da Machava, Maputo, Mozambique.

Mambas Seeking African Cup Of Nations Place

With their World Cup qualification hopes dashed, the Mozambicans have since turned their attention to securing a place at this January’s African Cup of Nations, which will be hosted in Angola.

The Southern Africans have been one of the revelations of the group, especially considering their strong performances against heavily favoured Nigeria.

In their first World Cup qualifier, questionable refereeing calls forced them to settle for a draw against the Super Eagles. The Mambas were even more unfortunate to lose the reverse fixture in Abuja in the dying seconds of the game.

Ironically, with that result, Martin Nooij’s men have gone from the team who could have helped Tunisia qualify to the one now standing in their way. The Dutchman has insisted that he naturally won’t do the North Africans any favours when they face off in Maputo.

He has reportedly even gone as far as telling Nigerian radio station Brila FM that he hopes to aid Nigeria by thwarting the visiting Tunisians. And he believes he has a team capable of doing so.

Given that his side hasn’t lost a match at home in almost two years, one can understand his optimism. Nooij also has the advantage of having had some of his team together during their recent COSAFA Cup campaign, in which they finished third. They beat Malawi 1-0 in the quarter-finals, lost to Zambia 2-0 in the semis and then won in their final game against South Africa (1-0).

Although not all of his starters were available, the added matches will only serve to improve the team’s cohesiveness, which is already one of their major strengths.

Above all, the side hardly need any extra motivation against Tunisia. They want nothing more than to be present in Angola in two months, and a loss coupled with a Kenyan win would eliminate them.

Carthage Eagles One Win Away From Their Dream

While Mozambique want a result to qualify for the African Cup of Nations, the stakes are even higher for Tunisia, who have already booked their ticket for the continental tournament but have their sights set on a fourth successive World Cup qualification. That would equal Cameroon’s record of consecutive participations at the prestigious event.

In terms of results, the team assembled by Portuguese trainer Humberto Coelho has hardly put a foot wrong in these qualifiers, with their major accomplishment being the hard fought 2-2 draw they gathered in Abuja off the back of a some inspired play and a showing of mental toughness and tactical discipline.

However, despite the fact that they currently top the group, the Tunisians find themselves in a position in which a draw is simply not enough if Nigeria win their match in Nairobi. They will therefore be fighting tooth and nail from the opening whistle to ensure victory in Maputo.

Though a win in a stadium where some of Africa’s footballing giants have been unable to get victories may seem like a tall task, the North Africans happen to have one characteristic that will help them immensely on their trip: the team often play much better football away from home. They frequently seem a more dangerous attacking threat when they are in a hostile environment.

Add to this that the team is stocked full of current or former domestic league players who are accustomed to travelling great distances in Africa to represent their club sides in continental and regional competitions, it is clear why Tunisians are remaining positive.

Coelho has asserted that he will make sure that none of his players will be aware of the score in Nairobi so that they do not play with their minds elsewhere, as was the case when they narrowly defeated Kenya in their last qualifier.

Tunisia then followed that up with a poor showing against Saudi Arabia, losing 1-0 after fielding an experimental squad. The technical staff are looking to gain value from the defeat, which highlighted some issues than needed to be addressed before their trip south.

FORM GUIDE

Mozambique

October 31: South Africa 1 – 0 Mozambique

October 29: Mozambique 0 – 2 Zambia

October 25: Malawi 0 – 1 Mozambique

October 11: Nigeria 1 – 0 Mozambique

September 6: Mozambique 1 – 0 Kenya

Tunisia

October 14: Tunisia 0 – 1 Saudi Arabia

October 11: Tunisia 1 – 0 Kenya

September 6: Nigeria 2 – 2 Tunisia

August 12: Tunisia 0 – 0 Cote d’Ivoire

June 20: Tunisia 0 – 0 Nigeria

TEAM NEWS

Martin Nooij will have to do without the services of Egypt-based midfielder Mano. Besides this, injuries are not a concern for the Dutchman, who will field a team practically identical to the one he took to Nigeria for his team’s previous qualifier.

Probable Starting XI: Kapango – Genito, Simao, Paito, Dario Khan – Mexer, Miro, Danito, Pelembe – Tico Tico, Dario Monteiro

Tunisia

The major change for Coelho has to be the dropping of starting midfielder Nabil Taider, who has not been getting much playing time at club level. He has thus been judged unfit to take part in such a crucial game where physical readiness will be at a premium.

Meanwhile, the Tunisian strikeforce has been boosted by the recall of both Al-Ittihad’s Amine Chermiti and Greuther Furth’s Sami Allagui. Each of the small forwards have been shining for their respective sides and will be hoping things stay that way in a national team jersey.

Probale Starting XI: Mathlouthi – Souissi, Haggui, Ghezal, Mikari – Ragued, Korbi, Ben Khalfallah, Darragi – Allagui, Chermiti

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Mozambique

Tico Tico is the man responsible for Mozambique’s lone win over Kenya during these qualifiers and will be hoping to get on the score sheet again in this one. He has the experience and talent to cause problems for Tunisia.

Tunisia

Ousamma Darragi has been, despite his young age, one of the most important players for the Carthage Eagles in this campaign. The Esperance star combines grace on the ball and great variation in passing with a deft finishing touch that has already ruffled Kapango’s net before in these qualifiers.

PREDICTION

Mozambique’s home record speaks for itself, but if any team can notch a win in Maputo it is Tunisia.

Their comebacks against Kenya and Nigeria show that, although they are youthful team, they are not a side who are going to panic at the first sign of adversity.

Furthermore, the players know full well that a chance to play at a World Cup doesn’t come along every day, and that factor looks set to make them surpass themselves.

Mozambique 1 – 2 Tunisia

Rami Ayari, Goal.com

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