Will Sami Trabelsi enjoy success after seeing his team struggle to reach Gabon-Equatorial Guinea as runners-up behind surprise-package Botswana? Tunisia are among the few giants present at the 2012 AFCON. We take a look at the history in the Nations Cup.
Tunisia’s history in brief
At a number of occasions, Tunisia went very close to achieving their dream of conquering Africa. They finished third in 1962 and clinched silver medals twice; in 1965 and in 1996. But CAN 2004 produced Tunisia’s best memory in the history of the Nations Cup.
It was a host and win situation for the Eagles of Carthage. After successfully avoiding defeat against Guinea, Rwanda and Congo DR in the group stages, the Tunisians faced Senegal in the quarterfinals.
They imposed themselves 1-0 in Rades to book a date with hot favorites Nigeria in the semis. The battle was tight. Okocha’s 67th minute goal almost broke the hearts of the home supporters but a late strike from Badra sent the game into extra-time where both teams failed to score again.
Spot kicks were required to define which team would reach the final. Peter Odemwingie missed his penalty as Tunisia triumphed 5-3. In the ultimate game of the tournament, they faced Morocco. An estimated 70,000 spectators filled the stadium to witness Tunisia’s unprecedented Nations Cup triumph.
With this achievement, the Eagles of Carthage made a very big name of themselves – not only in Africa, but across the world. Unfortunately for Tunisian football fans, the national team failed to maintain their heights.
In Egypt 2006, the Tunisians became the victims of Nigeria’s revenge mission. The Super Eagles claimed a sweet 6-5 penalty shootout victory over the Eagles of Carthage in the Last 8. Two years later, Tunisia fell at the same stage. This time, they crashed out at the expense of eventual runners-up Cameroon.
Things got worse for the Tunisians during CAN 2010. The flaws within the team went totally exposed. The Eagles of Carthage gathered no more than 3 points from 3 games. They exited the tournament in Round 1 alongside Gabon as Zambia and Cameroun reached the quarterfinals.
Tunisia at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations
Tunisia may not get an easy ride during the group stages of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. Niger don’t have a history but they are potentially dangerous. Reaching Gabon and Equatorial Guinea at the expense of South Africa and Egypt tells you how good Niger can be. Aside the Menas, Tunisia will have to overcome Morocco and co-hosts Gabon.
Tunisia’s 2012 Africa Cup of Nations squad goes as follows:
Goalkeepers: Moez Ben Cherifia, Rami Jeridi, Aymen Mathlouthi
Defenders: Aymen Abdennour, Anis Boussaidi, Khalil Chammam, Karim Haggui, Bilel Ifa, Ammar Jemal
Midfielders: Wissem Ben Yahia, Adel Chedly, Yassine Chikhaoui, Oussama Darragi, Zouhaier Dhaouadi, Khaled Korbi, Youssef Msakni, Houcine Ragued, Jamel Saihi, Majdi Traoui
Forwards: Sami Allagui, Amine Chermiti, Issam Jemaa, Saber Khelifa
Read next team profile - Zambia.
