Tunisian attacking midfielder Naïm Sliti is emerging as one of the standout players of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. At 26, the Dijon midfielder arrives at the tournament with high ambitions, determined to help Tunisia overcome a recurring obstacle: the quarter-finals. In the last five editions of AFCON, the Eagles of Carthage have been eliminated at this stage, a pattern Sliti is eager to break. Speaking to AFP, he emphasized the team’s determination: “We want to get past this hurdle. Every time, it comes down to the wire. In the last AFCON, eliminated in the quarter-finals by Burkina Faso, we were frustrated after the match. We felt we could go all the way because we had a great team. In every edition, we end up in the quarter-finals. We have this ambition to at least reach the semi-finals. Now, it’s on the pitch, it’s D-Day.”
Sliti believes Tunisia’s offensive strength is a key asset for their campaign. “We have some great attacking players. Our game is forward-oriented, like Algeria or Morocco. But the difference to go all the way is a solid defensive foundation. Offensively, I think we’ll make the difference. But if you make the difference and concede a goal on every counter-attack… We’ll have to be solid defensively, and up front, it’s up to us to do the job,” he added, highlighting the balance Tunisia must strike between attack and defense.
The former Lille player’s comments underscore the team’s strategic approach: combine attacking flair with defensive discipline to maximize their chances of progressing deeper in the tournament. Sliti, known for his creativity, vision, and ability to unlock defenses, will play a central role in Tunisia’s quest for success. His leadership and experience in European football are expected to provide a boost to the squad’s confidence as they aim to turn ambition into results on the pitch.
Living up to expectations will be crucial from the very first match. Tunisia opens its 2019 AFCON campaign against Angola this Monday at 5pm GMT. Sliti and his teammates will be eager to start strongly, set the tone for the tournament, and demonstrate that the Eagles of Carthage are ready to move beyond the quarter-finals and challenge for a spot in the latter stages of the competition.
With a blend of attacking talent, tactical awareness, and determination, Sliti represents both the hope and the engine of Tunisia’s campaign. How he and his teammates perform in the opening game against Angola could be a telling indicator of their prospects for advancing further than in previous editions. The stage is set for Sliti to shine and for Tunisia to aim higher than ever before in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
