Tunisians commend African Cup organization

Cairo-Murad Teyeb: Tunisian Football Federation (FTF) president Hammouda Ben Ammar praised Egyptian fans in Alexandria and Port Said for supporting his team in their African Cup of Nations campaign.

Ben Ammar described the 2006 African Cup running currently in Egypt as being successful in terms of organization, accommodation and venues.

"The tournament was very positive," Ammar said before the Tunisian delegation left Alexandria to return home. "It left a great impression."

The outgoing African champions were eliminated from the African Cup quarter-finals after losing to Niger 6-5 in a penalty shootout on Saturday.

Tunisia assistant coach Tarek Thabet played down Tunisia's exit, noting that his team is one of the best in Africa and will the continent in the best possible way during the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany later this year.

"The Tunisians did their best to retain the African title and left a good impression," Thabet said. "The Tunisian team will remain one of the icons of African football."

"We now have to prepare well for the 2006 World Cup in Germany," he added.