Preview-Tunisia want payback against Guinea

African Cup of Nations (ACN) champions Tunisia face Guinea in a battle for top spot in Group C when they meet Monday afternoon in Alexandria's Borders Guards stadium.

كتب : وكالات

الإثنين، 30 يناير 2006 - 17:12
Bouazizi
Alexandria-Murad Teyeb: African Cup of Nations (ACN) champions Tunisia face Guinea in a battle for top spot in Group C when they meet Monday afternoon in Alexandria's Borders Guards stadium.

Tunisia coach Roger Lemerre said the Carthage Eagles are looking to maintain their positive results to finish first in group C and avoid playing Group D winners who will be probably Nigeria.

"We will play to win," Lemerre told reporters on Sunday. "We are happy here and we want to stay here for the coming stages.

"I know Guinea very well. They are the most European team here because all of their players are based in Europe."

The Frenchman explained he may rest some of his key-players for the game but will not take risks.

"I might reshuffle the side against the Guineans and probably rest key players as well as (those) with yellow cards."

English-based defender Radhi Jaidi concurred with his coach, saying: "We like the environment here and we are all very determined to win this match.

"I think we will play the same game as before (in the 2004 Nations Cup in Tunisia) when we met in the same context," added the Bolton defender.

"We had qualified and we only needed a draw in the last game. I remember that game and I will advise my team mates to concentrate until the end so that we finish first in the group.

"We know the Guineans and they know us. When we lost to them in Conakry when we had a lot of injured players and the atmosphere was not good for us," confirmed Turkey-based Kaies Ghodhbane.

The Guineans are no less confident than their North African opponents.

Striker Pascal Feindouno said: "We defeated Tunisia in the qualifiers and we are looking to beat them again. They have a strong team but they aren’t better than us.

"Whether we play Ghana, Nigeria or Senegal, the game will not be easy. Reaching the semi-finals would be an honor for us and for our country," added the St Etienne player.

Tunisia and Guinea were also in the same African group qualifying for the 2006 World Cup. Tunisia lost 2-1 in Conakry before winning the return 2-0 in Tunis.

South Africa have a chance to save face when they play Zambia in a coinciding game at the Alexandria Stadium.