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Tunisia are making their fourth FIFA World Cup finals appearance and will meet Ukraine, Spain and Saudi Arabia in Group H. African Cup of Nations winners in 2004, they are a side to be reckoned with. Indeed, FIFA have them ranked 21st in the world, much higher than fancied opponents Ukraine and group rivals Saudi. The Carthage Eagles are in their third successive Finals and it is indicative of the rise in global standards that they are a team to be treated with extreme caution.

It's fair to say they have some historical pedigree as well; their win over Mexico on their Finals debut in 1978 was the first by any African nation at the highest tournament level. Whilst they are still waiting for their second victory, creditable draws followed in 1998 (with Romania) and 2002 (with Belgium). In both tournaments, their losses were hard fought ones. It took goals from Shearer and Scholes to get England past them in 1998, a gutsy performance that stands out in particular.

Former French national coach ROGER LEMERRE (who led his homeland to the 2000 European Championship) has at his disposal one of the best squads in Africa. They needed to be, to edge out local rivals Morocco to qualify, the side they defeated to win the African Cup of Nations. That Tunisia are seen as favourites against their neighbours these days is indicative of their rise to prominence. Qualification was impressive; an early loss away to African Cup of Nations finalists Guinea (ranked 51st) was rendered irrelevant by a run of five successive victories. Morocco (ranked 36th) were kept at arm's length by two draws, the latter of which came on the final day, with the Eagles all but mathematically assured of success. This was due to an impressive goal difference, as they gorged on bottom feeders Kenya (95th), Botswana (103rd) and Malawi (107th).

Team Played Won Drawn Lost Goal Diff Points
Tunisia 10 6 3 1 16 21
Morocco 10 5 5 0 10 18
Guinea 10 5 2 3 5 17
Kenya 10 3 1 6 -9 10
Botswana 10 3 0 7 -8 9
Malawi 10 1 3 6 -14 6

All three goalkeepers play in Tunisian domestic soccer, which is in good health financially. Interest is as high as ever, in the wake of the 2004 triumph. ALI BOUMNIJEL (Club African Tunis) is first choice and will, at forty years of age, be one of the oldest Finals participants ever. He's been first choice now for four years, having played all three games at the last World Cup Finals and in the 2004 and 2006 African Cup of Nations. Whilst obviously experienced, he may play younger than his years, due to a decade as understudy to former star Chokri El Ouaer. Indeed, after winning his first international cap in 1991, Boumnijel then had to wait a full five years to play a second time. Despite that, he should win his fiftieth cap in Germany. HAMDI KASRAOUI (Esperance Sportive Tunis), the youngster most compared to the legendary El Ouaer, suffers from the same problem that Boumnijel had. He's stuck on the bench, having only earned five caps. He did appear in this year's African Cup of Nations, though, as well as traveling to the Confederations Cup in 2005. Kasraoui is the one for the future and Lemerre will use the Finals in Germany to give him experience, if not playing time. At his club, Kasraoui is still reserve, to Ivory Coast international Jean-Jacques Tizie. ADEL NEFZI (US Monastir) is in his thirties, but has yet to play an international. The assumption is that he'll be given a chance in one of the warm-up matches, maybe with a view to being made first reserve. His shot stopping ability has been a feature of his unfashionable club's rise to fifth place in domestic football, as well as an upturn in his own career. A feature of all three goalkeepers is their preference to stay on the goal line and make saves, rather than collect crosses. This may be a problem against sides that can deliver quality balls into the box.

In defence, there a few better known names, as most of the players selected are based in Europe. KARIM HAGUI (Racing Club Strasbourg, France) plays right fullback with more experience than most his age. Hagui was the youngest member of the victorious 2004 side and even scored the decisive penalty in the semifinal shoot out. To go with those clutch tendencies is a real willingness to break forward and attack. The former Etoile du Sahel player also has experience from the 2004 Olympic Games and 2006 African Cup of Nations. The left fullback slot could well be filled by the only home based defender. MEHDI MERIAH (Etoile du Sahel) is a veteran of the domestic game, having played for most of Tunisia's top clubs. He can play central defence, midfield or fullback and has great ability at free kicks. The star fullback, however, is HATEM TRABELSI (Ajax Amsterdam, Holland). An attack minded player, equally at home in midfield, Trabelsi is one to watch for at the Finals. It's no coincidence that the Dutch giants fell back into the pack in the Eredivise when he was out with an injured knee. Young Hagui's rise to prominence might see Trabelsi played further forward, giving Tunisia a formidable attack on the right.

The centre of defence can be described in one word; robust. RAHDI JAIDI (Bolton Wanderers, England) plays for one of the most physical teams in the demanding Premiership and still stands out as a mean customer. He's dependable in the air and surprising nimble with the ball at his feet. Jaidi is also an attacking threat at set pieces; scoring five international goals and setting up many more by drawing away opposing defenders. Jaidi was a member of the dominant Esperance side that won everything in African soccer over the last decade. His partner is likely to be the imposing KARIM SAIDI (Feyenoord, Holland, currently on loan with Lecce, Italy). Out with a hamstring injury, he was badly missed at the 2006 African Cup of Nations.

Equally uncompromising in reserve is ALAEDDINE YAHIA (Saint Etienne, France), who has had major success in France, despite failing to make the grade in England with Southampton. ANIS AYARI (Samsun Sport, Turkey) will also expect to feature, having done so at the African Cup of Nations, Olympic Games and Confederations Cup. French-born DAVID JEMMALI (Bordeaux, France) only has a couple of international caps to his name but has vast experience in the European game. Jemmali can play right fullback, or centrally. Attack minded; he was voted the best fullback in Ligue 1 by his fellow professionals this year. And he is very, very fast. There's a fair bit of depth to the Tunisian defence, which I think they'll need as suspensions could be a factor. The left side is a worry; as such a scenario would probably see a right sided player played out of position there.

Midfield is also well served by foreign based players; all seven called up ply their trade in the big European leagues. RIADH BOUAZIZI (Kayserispor, Turkey) is one of three midfielders to play in Turkey, the others being KAIS GHOHBANE (Samsunspor, Turkey) and SOFIENE MELLITI (Gazi Antepspor, Turkey). Bouazizi is an experienced defensive midfielder with over eighty international appearances. This will be his third World Cup Finals and he was captain of the 2004 team that won the African Cup of Nations. Ghohbane is in the same bracket, experience-wise, with over eighty caps himself. Melliti is far less experienced but has knowledge of group opponents Ukraine, having been on the books of Ukrainian club Vorskla-Naftohaz Poltava.

Two German based midfielders will be in the squad. ADEL CHEDLI and JAWHER MNARI (both Nuremberg, Germany). Chedli is a former French youth international who played with Saint Etienne, FC Sochaux and FC Istres. A move to the Bundesliga came after his performances at the 2005 Confederations Cup. His goal in the final qualifier against Morocco was the decisive one that booked their place at the Finals. His clubmate Mnari was an ever present in the African Cup of Nations and, like Chedli, was snapped up by Nuremberg after the Confederations Cup. Mnari has a short temper that opponents will be looking to take advantage of. MEHDI NAFTI (Birmingham City, England) had to watch on helplessly as his side were relegated from the English Premiership, after he damaged his cruciate ligament in pre-season training. A defensive midfielder, he was a surprise omission from the last World Cup Finals squad. Another French-born player, Nafti played for home town club Toulouse before moving to Racing Santander in Spain. HAMED NAMOUCHI (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland) has failed to shine in Scotland, despite consistent performances for the national side. In his defence, he has been hampered by injuries and a chronic lack of help from his club captain Barry Ferguson, who has been atrocious. Namouchi is a strong and quick looking right sided player who, inexplicably, has been used as a defensive midfielder by Rangers (despite Ferguson's propensity to drop back into that very role). Perhaps the incoming French coach Paul le Guen will get the best out of French-born Namouchi, who started at Cannes before a brief spell in England with Chelsea.

It is a Brazilian that leads the Tunisian attack. SILVA DOS SANTOS (Toulouse, France) has been a national citizen since 2003. Santos is extremely quick and has a powerful shot. His four goals propelled Tunisia to their tournament victory and, in a seven goal thrashing of Malawi, Santos equaled the African record for most goals in a competitive international. To put that into context, he shares it with Cameroon legend Roger Milla, the star of the 1990 World Cup quarterfinalists. Almost overnight, the former Sochaux player has become a legend in the eyes of the Tunisian public. He lines up with another legend; ZIAD JAZIRI (Troyes, France) is a dribbling machine who played in Turkey and is loved for his committed approach to the game. It was Jaziri who calmed the home crowd with their opening goal in the 2004 African Cup of Nations and, fittingly, along with Santos, scored in the final. With a record of a goal every four international matches he, along with his strike partner, may turn out to be surprise stars in Germany.

A good option for his pace on the flanks is KARIM ESSEDRI (BK Rosenberg, Norway). Equally adept in midfield, his exploits in Norway for Tromso earned him a move to his current club. Several clubs in England were interested, especially given his hardy approach to the colder climate in Scandinavia. ISSAM JOMAA (Lens, France) is an exciting prospect on the left flank, whipping in quality crosses. A player who needs to work on the mental side of the game, he's nevertheless the kind of livewire who could cause problems to tired defenders late on in matches. YASSINE CHIKHAOUI (Etoile du Sahel) is one of only two home-based outfield players in the squad. He doesn't turn twenty until after the Finals and is considered the next best thing. It would be a surprise if he featured heavily but he has the ability to make his mark. French club Olympique Marseille are rumoured to be interested in his signature.

Given the strength of Spain and Ukraine, it's unlikely that the Carthage Eagles will make it out of the group stages. The Spanish are notoriously slow starters though and, given the fact Tunisia play Saudi Arabia first; they have a chance to cause a real scare for the favourites. I think they'll beat the Saudis, though it's by no means a foregone conclusion. The fact that the two big guns play each other first may mean that Tunisia will lead the group after the first match, if their strikers can put away a couple of goals. The second match (against Spain) would then be for the biggest stakes ever. A place in the knockout stages. I fear for them defensively, as they will be unprepared for the quality of attacking passes the top sides will play against them, but they have some attacking flair and maybe, just maybe, the order of matches will work in their favour. The Ukraine are Finals debutants, while the Spanish have flopped badly before. Maybe Santos and Jaziri can make this Tunisia's greatest ever achievement.

Next time, I'll be looking at another debutant from Africa.

NEXT WEEK - ANGOLA

Steve Beagrie is the resident Football (that's soccer for the yanks) expert here at SFM. Check out his website at SteveBeagrie.com.


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