The preparation program for Tunisia’s national team, the Eagles of Carthage, ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations has been officially confirmed. The Tunisian squad will participate in three international friendly matches during June as part of their build-up to the tournament.
The first friendly is scheduled for June 7, 2019, at the Rades Olympic Stadium against Iraq. Four days later, Tunisia will travel to Europe to face Croatia, a team that made a strong impression at the last World Cup. The final friendly match will return to Tunisia at the Rades Stadium against Burundi, one of the African nations qualified for the 2019 AFCON.
This preparation plan has sparked debate among observers, as Tunisia opted to face two non-African opponents out of their three friendlies. Critics argue that preparing against African opposition would better simulate the challenges the team will face in Egypt. Nevertheless, coach Alain Giresse and his staff appear focused on using these encounters to test tactics, assess squad depth, and build cohesion ahead of the continental tournament.
Tunisia will officially kick off their 2019 AFCON campaign on June 24, facing Angola in their opening match. With this carefully structured preparation program, the Eagles of Carthage hope to enter the tournament in peak form, combining exposure to different playing styles with the opportunity to fine-tune their strategies before facing Africa’s best teams.
