Tunisia Names Youth-Focused Squad for Final AFCON Qualifiers
Tunisia head coach Georges Leekens has unveiled a 23-man squad for the final two fixtures of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Botswana and Egypt, opting to give opportunities to younger players with qualification already secured.
The Belgian tactician has chosen to leave out experienced forwards Sami Allagui and Issam Jomâa, signaling a shift toward testing new talent in preparation for the continental tournament in Morocco. Tunisia currently tops their group with 10 points and has already guaranteed their place at the finals.
Leekens, who took over the Carthage Eagles earlier in the campaign, said his selections are part of a long-term vision to integrate emerging players while maintaining a competitive edge in the final group matches.
Tunisia Squad for AFCON Qualifiers:
Goalkeepers:
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Moez Ben Cherifia (Esperance)
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Farouk Ben Mustapha (Club Africain)
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Aymen Mathlouthi (Etoile du Sahel)
Defenders:
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Mohamed Ali Yaâkoubi (Espérance)
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Alaeddine Yahia (Caen, France)
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Aymen Abdennour (Monaco, France)
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Heithem Jouini (Espérance)
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Rami Bedoui (Etoile du Sahel)
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Fakhreddine Ben Youssef (CS Sfaxien)
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Syam Ben Youssef (Astra Giurgiu, Romania)
Midfielders:
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Jamel Saihi (Montpellier, France)
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Yassine Chikhaoui (FC Zürich, Switzerland)
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Amine Chermiti (FC Zürich, Switzerland)
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Saber Khelifa (Club Africain)
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Ali Maâloul (CS Sfaxien)
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Hamza Mathlouthi (CA Bizertin)
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Yassine Mikari (FC Zürich, Switzerland)
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Bilel Mohsni (Rangers, Scotland)
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Stéphane Nater (FC St. Gallen, Switzerland)
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Mohamed Ali Moncer (CS Sfaxien)
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Houcine Ragued (Esperance)
Attackers:
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Ferjani Sassi (CS Sfaxien)
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Hamza Younes (Botev Plovdiv, Bulgaria)
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Nidhal Saied (Club Africain)
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Wissem Yahia (CS Sfaxien)
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Youssef Msakni (Lekhwiya, Qatar)
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Wahbi Khazri (Bordeaux, France)
While Tunisia enters the final matchdays without pressure, the fixtures against Botswana and Egypt will offer a valuable opportunity to fine-tune the squad ahead of January’s tournament and to evaluate players competing for starting roles.
With a blend of local league standouts and European-based stars, Tunisia will look to maintain momentum and end their qualification campaign on a high.
