Senegal, Tunisia in search for victory

الأحد، 27 يناير 2008 - 11:03

كتب : Omar AbdelAziz

Senegal

Group favorites Senegal and Tunisia will be searching for their first win in the African Cup of Nations when they play Angola and South Africa respectively in Group D on Sunday.

Senegal were held to a 2-2 draw by Tunisia in the group opener as South Africa and Angola shared the spoils in the other game with a 1-1 result.

With all teams having one point, winners from Sunday's clashes will be favorites to qualify to the quarter-finals.

Senegal

"After the first draw it's like starting again from zero. It's a tight group and I think qualification can only be guaranteed after the last game."

Manager Henri Kasperczak.

Team News: No real concerns for Kasperczak's team, Henri Camara is back to full fitness after starting on the bench against Tunisia.

Strength: With El Hadji Diouf, Diomansy Kamara and Mamadou Niang, the Teranga Lions have a perfect frontline boosted with talent and experience.

Weakness: The Senegalese appeared to be in command for long spells against Tunisia, but their defense still looked vulnerable, and they might struggle to deal with the pace of Angola strikers.

Probable Line-up: Sylva, N'Daw, Diawara, A.Faye, Beye, N'Doye, Sall, Mendy, Diouf, Kamara, Niang.

Angola

"What we did in the last game makes us believe that we can have another good game."

Veteran defender Rui Marques.

Team News: Angola skipper Paulo Figueiredo is a major doubt after picking up a knee injury, Ze Kalanga should deputize.

Midfielder Mateus could also be in for Mendonca.

Strength: The Palancas Negras have a lethal attacking line, Ahli's Flavio Amado and Manchester United's Manucho showed what they are capable of against South Africa when they combined well to score a wonderful goal.

Weakness: Angola conceded very late in the South Africa draw, lack of concentration at times can cost the team dearly.

Probable Line-up: Lama, Airosa, Kali, Marques, Yamba Asha, Ze Kalanga, Mateus, Gilberto, Macanga, Flavio, Manucho.

Tunisia vs. South

Africa

This fixture ended in a comfortable 2-0 win for the Carthage Eagles in the last Nations Cup in Egypt, but this time it will be a tough task for the 2004 champions.

Tunisia

"With Parreira as coach they have an added bonus, because he is someone who knows the highest level, Parreira has not known defeat much," said Roger Lemerre.

Team News: Tunisia are without teenage sensation Amine Chermiti, who is still serving a two-match suspension.

However, Birmingham's Mehdi Nafti, who missed the first game with injury, is expected to partner Mejdi Traoui in midfield.

Tunisian reports also hinted that defense duo Yassine Mikari and Saber Ben Frej might replace Radouane Falhi and Wissem Bekri respectively.

Shawky Ben Saada could also be given a chance upfront.

Probable Line-up: Kasraoui- Jaidi, Hagui, Mikari, Ben Frej- Nafti, Traoui, Mnari- Chikhaoui, Santos, Ben Saada.

South Africa

"I do feel that all we need to do is win against Tunisia and that should be enough to secure a quarterfinal place," veteran striker Sibusiso Zuma.

Team News: First-choice goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez, who was injured against Angola, should retain his place at the expense of Moeneeb Josephs.

Goal hero Elrio Van Heerden is likely to remain on the bench, while Lerato Chabangu and Thembinkosi Fanteni could be in for Surprise Moriri and Siphiwe Tshabalala respectively.

Probable Line-up: Fernandez- Masilela, Moon, Mhlongo, Morris, Modise, Mokoena, Pienaar, Fanteni- Zuma, Chabangu.

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