AFCON 2015: Tunisia Confident but Cautious Ahead of Quarter-Final vs. Equatorial Guinea
The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia are calmly gearing up for their crucial quarter-final clash against host nation Equatorial Guinea, scheduled for this Saturday. Under the guidance of Georges Leekens, the team enters the encounter with growing confidence after an encouraging group stage, but they’re also remaining cautious of the challenge posed by a motivated and resilient Nzalang Nacional.
Despite being underdogs, Equatorial Guinea has surprised many with their fighting spirit and home support. Tunisia is expected to rely on its core defensive unit to weather the storm, with the trio of Aymen Abdennour, Mohamed Ali Yâakoubi, and Syam Ben Youssef at the heart of the backline.
While both Abdennour and Yâakoubi picked up knocks during Tunisia’s final group game against DR Congo, initial reports suggest the injuries are not serious. As a result, Leekens is likely to maintain his trusted defensive formation for the quarter-final.
With Tunisia aiming for a return to the AFCON semi-finals for the first time since 2004, experience, discipline, and composure will be key. The match promises to be a test of Tunisia’s credentials and Equatorial Guinea’s underdog grit.
