Tunisia Faces Injury Concerns Ahead of AFCON Qualifiers
Tunisia may start their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign without key defender Aymen Abdennour. The AS Monaco centre-back, who has endured a difficult start to the season, is currently sidelined with a muscle strain and remains doubtful for Tunisia’s opening qualifier against Botswana on September 6.
The Carthage Eagles are awaiting the results of medical tests, expected on Wednesday, which will determine whether Abdennour will be fit to take part in the match in Monastir. Should he be ruled out, the Tunisian coaching staff has already prepared by calling up Mohamed Ali Yaakoubi as cover.
The team has also been hit by the confirmed withdrawal of defender Yassine Mikari, who is out with a foot injury. Meanwhile, attacking midfielder Wahbi Khazri of Bordeaux is reported to be doubtful for the Botswana game but is expected to recover in time for Tunisia’s second qualifier against Egypt on September 10.
Tunisia will be eager to overcome these injury setbacks as they seek a strong start to their AFCON qualifying campaign.
