Tunisia manager Jalel Kadri is set to unveil his final 23-man squad on December 28th for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Kadri will trim down his provisional selection of 55 players as anticipation builds ahead of Tunisia’s 18th AFCON appearance next month in Ivory Coast.
Despite an array of talented options at Kadri’s disposal, several unfortunate omissions seem inevitable due to squad restrictions by the Confederation of African Football.
However, given AFCON’s heightened stature as Africa’s premier national competition, Tunisia are expected to name a seasoned contingent including key veterans.
Kadri guided his nation impressively through qualification as the Carthage Eagles topped their group ahead of Equatorial Guinea, Libya and Botswana.
Yet seeking a second AFCON crown to add to their 2004 triumph on home soil, Tunisia have often failed to transfer qualifying consistency into the coveted trophy itself.
Their best recent showings of reaching the 2019 quarter-finals and finishing fourth in Equatorial Guinea four years earlier showed promise.
But with stalwarts like Ferjani Sassi, Youssef Msakni and skipper Yassine Meriah likely leading the charge, Tunisia should avoid further group stage eliminations.
Sassi and Msakni boast over 100 caps each and were instrumental during Tunisia’s World Cup heroics in Qatar barely a month ago.
Alongside emerging talents like Hannibal Mejbri and Aissa Laidouni, Kadri seems equipped to name a squad balancing hardship and hunger.
Tunisia launches their Group F campaign against Mali on January 12th before facing Gambia then minnows Sudan.
