Tunisia Arrive in Dakar for Crucial AFCON Qualifier Against Senegal
Tunisia’s national football team, led by head coach Georges Leekens, has arrived in Dakar ahead of their highly anticipated clash against Senegal in the third round of Group G qualifiers for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
Both sides currently sit atop the group with six points each, making Friday’s fixture at the Léopold Sédar Senghor Stadium a pivotal showdown. A victory for either team would put them within touching distance of qualification for the tournament in Morocco.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Wednesday, Leekens acknowledged the strength of the opposition but remained optimistic about his side’s chances. “We are here looking for a positive result — a victory or, at the very least, a draw,” he said. “Senegal has shown excellent form in their opening matches and possesses great potential.”
Despite the absence of key players, Tunisia enters the fixture with confidence. Central defender Bilel Mohseni of Rangers is sidelined due to injury, and doubts remain over the fitness of fellow defenders Aymen Abdennour and Yacine Mikari. Nonetheless, the team’s morale is high after consecutive wins over Botswana and Egypt.
Forward Fakhreddine Ben Youssef, who scored in Tunisia’s historic win in Cairo, highlighted the importance of team unity. “In matches like this, what matters most is the collective effort,” he said. “Our two wins have boosted the group’s confidence, and we’re determined to continue this momentum.”
Tunisia’s campaign under Leekens is seen as a new chapter for the Carthage Eagles, with a renewed focus on disciplined, team-oriented football. The coach, who previously led Belgium and Algeria, is steering a young squad through what has become one of the toughest qualifying groups.
For Senegal, the pressure is equally intense. After defeating Egypt and Botswana without conceding a goal, the Lions of Teranga are eager to maintain their unbeaten run in front of a home crowd. Their own players have called for calm and focus, warning against complacency despite recent successes.
With both nations level on points and form, Friday’s encounter promises to be one of the defining moments of the qualifying campaign. The result could determine not just group leadership, but also the psychological advantage in the race for AFCON 2015 qualification.
Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00 local time in Dakar.
Let me know if you need a follow-up report, match summary, or a version tailored for radio, podcast, or sports commentary formats.
