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Semi-finalist three years ago and present at the World Cup in 2018, Tunisia should in theory easily come out of the group stage of CAN-2022. For her first match, she faces Mali, the only real danger in group F. Eliminated from qualifying for the World Cup, Côte d’Ivoire, for her part, hopes to catch up with the African Cup and relive the great hours of his history.
With 15 consecutive participations in the African Cup, Tunisia is one of the great regulars of the competition. For its entry into the CAN-2022, it faces, Wednesday January 12, Mali, the other heavyweight of Group F.
Semi-finalists three years ago and present at the World Cup in 2018, the Carthage Eagles have a record of 17 wins, four draws and five defeats under the tutelage of coach Mondher Kebaïer, appointed in 2019, who can count on a quality workforce. “Tunisia has a very united group, our strength is at the group level, not on individualities, we rely not on stars, but on fundamental values, namely courage, the collective spirit and solidarity. From there, everyone is called upon to put their qualities at the service of the collective “, explained the coach at a press conference on the eve of the first match.
Even if the Tunisians do not have “stars” in their workforce, Stéphanois Wahbi Khazri is a leader in the group. An experienced player, he hopes to take his country as far as possible in this CAN. “We want to win it. In the last edition, we were semi-finalists, beaten by Senegal. I think we were superior and we deserved to win. It would be good now to qualify for the final, but it will not be easy because there are good teams in Africa, where the level is more and more raised “, he summed up to AFP.
In this group F, only Mali seems able to worry Tunisia. The other Eagles also display a good squad with Hamari Traoré (Rennes) or Amadou Haïdara (Leipzig), even if the powerful Moussa Marega (Al-Hilal) and Cheick Doucouré (Lens) are missing. “The first meeting is always very important in a competition. It’s going to be a hotly contested match against a team full of talent,” conceded Mondher Kebaïer.
Mauritania and Gambia, which participates in its first CAN, on the other hand, are small thumbs of the group. “We faced Mauritania in the World Cup qualifiers. We were hooked at home. I don’t know Gambia at all. At CAN, no match can be taken lightly,” however tempered Wahbi Khazri.
Ivorians want to forget the failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup
Since its last coronation in the competition in 2015, the Ivory Coast has changed its face. Legends Yaya Touré, Kolo Touré and other Copa Barry have given way to a rejuvenated squad. Now Serge Aurier, Max-Alain Gradel, Franck Kessié, Wilfried Zaha, Nicolas Pépé or even l’Ajacide Sébastien Haller, current top scorer in the Champions League, have taken the lead.
But this new generation of Elephants remains on a bitter failure during the qualifying play-offs for the 2022 World Cup. Eliminated by Cameroon, Patrice Beaumelle’s men cannot afford another setback.
For their entry into the competition in Group E, Côte d’Ivoire will start smoothly against the modest team of Equatorial Guinea. Despite his favorite position, the coach does not take this match lightly. “When you are at the head of a team like Côte d’Ivoire, you have to get three points in each match,” he announced at a press conference. “I have played Equatorial Guinea on several occasions and it has always been close matches. Tomorrow’s game will be close but we will do everything to take the three points”.
On the side of its players, it is also time for concentration. “The group is living well. Everyone is concerned. We made a preparation which could have been better. We have quality. There are no longer small nations. It is up to us to put all the ingredients for win, “summed up Maxwell Cornet (Burnley FC).
Maxwell Cornet????????
“The group is living well. Everyone is concerned. We did a preparation that could have been better. We have quality. There are no more small nations. It’s up to us to put in all the ingredients to win. ” pic.twitter.com/5fhycUXwzA– Le Foot 225 ???????? (@ LeFoot225) January 11, 2022
As proof, in the first match of this group, Sierra Leone achieved the feat of holding Algeria, the reigning African champion, in check. Logically, the first two places should however be played between the Elephants and the Fennecs. The clash between these two teams will be the group’s last game.
With AFP
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