Despite being rated fourth on the continent, not many expected Tunisia to excel at the Africa Cup of Nations. Disappointing results against Mali and The Gambia affirmed. However, a brave 1-0 victory over favourites Nigeria signalled intent, which sparked an interest from online casinos for real money.
Tunisia’s maiden AFCON foray was indeed memorable. At the 1962 edition in Ethiopia, the Carthage Eagles finished third. Three years later, when they hosted, they narrowly lost 3-2 to Ghana.
However, the North Africans took a long break from the tournament, returning in 1996. Yet again, they reached the final and lost to host, South Africa. Tunisia was third-time lucky in 2004.
As host, the Eagles of Carthage swept the continent apart en route to their maiden honours. They defeated Morocco 2–1 thanks to goals from Francileudo Santos and Ziad Jaziri. However, since then, Tunisia hasn’t stepped foot in the final.
While they successfully qualified for the showpiece afterwards, the North Africans haven’t gone beyond the last four. Twice they were eliminated in the group stage and reached the semi-final only once in 13 years.
Perhaps this contributed to the country’s low rating by bookmakers ahead of another tournament. Tunisia was considered an outsider for the trophy.
Still, they were expected to effortlessly win their group. But after just a victory in three games, they sneaked into the knockout stage. They got a Super Eagles team growing in confidence.
To be fair, the odds seemed to be against Tunisia. The team missed a deluge of their squad members to coronavirus. Talisman Wahbi Khazri failed to convert a penalty to equalise in their tournament opener against Mali and Seifeddine Jaziri failed to beat Gambia’s Baboucarr Gaye from 12 yards just before half-time, and it was seen as a stunner by many including users from real money pokies.
With a dozen players and their manager absent due to Covid, the Super Eagles had the advantage in the last-16. After all, the West Africans were the only team with a 100 per cent record in the group stage. Coronavirus dreaded the Nigerian camp. But on the night in Garoua, it was the white Eagles that flew.
Tunisia contrived to put up a fighting performance to peg back the rampaging Nigerians, going toe to toe with the Super Eagles until Youssef Msakni struck in the second half, beating Maduka Okoye from range for the only goal of the game. Nigeria’s wide players were blunted by a double team, especially on Moses Simon, and Ellyes Skhiri dropped into the defence, nullified Nigeria’s press as the Tunisians tried to overload the middle.
It was clear the north Africans had done their homework. “We know Nigeria are very strong and very fast in the wings,” assistant coach Jalel Kadri said at the post-match press conference.
“Today we came up with tactics to put pressure on then Nigerian wingers because they are very dangerous. And we also know they have difficulties in when they lose the ball.”
This is the kind of stuff champions are made of. Although the Tunisians are not blessed with superstars like Mohammed Salah and Sadio Mane, they play together as a unit.
Mondher Kebaier has been pivotal. With over two decades of coaching in his homeland, the 51-year-old understands his team as majority are based in Tunisia. Kebaier has been with the national side since 2019 and his return to the dugout would be influential.
Khazri’s imminent return is another good news. The skipper has been directly involved in six of Tunisia’s last 11 goals (55%) at the Africa Cup of Nations, scoring four and registering two assists. Indeed, no player has been involved in more AFCON goals for the Eagles of Carthage than the 30-year-old (6), since his debut in the competition in South Africa in 2013.
Tunisia faces Burkina Faso in the quarterfinal. The Stallions have flattered to deceive. Tunisia’s tactical, technical ability and teamwork should be too strong for the West Africans and every other team. You can now place that bet.