AFCON: Covid-19 Hits Tunisia, As 12 Players Are Ruled Out Of Clash With Super Eagles

By Akinwale Kasali

The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia Camp is in disarray.

Its hope of upsetting the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Sunday’s Round of 16 knockout phase at the ongoing 2021 African Cup of Nations has suffered a setback.

12 of its players have contracted Coronavirus and are presently in isolation. They will miss out of the crunchy tie.

Tunisia’s Assistant Coach, Jalal Al-Qadri, addressed Journalists during the press conference, confirming that the captain of the team, Saint Etienne Football Club of France forward, Wahbi Khazri, and 11 others have contracted coronavirus.

Aside the 12 players, Head Coach, Mondher Kabaier, has also tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss their round of 16 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) clash with Nigeria on Sunday.

Kebaier was not available for the pre-match press conference on Saturday at the Roumdje Adjia Stadium, Garoua.

The 11 Tunisia players are Aissa Laidouni, Dylan Bronn, Ghaylène Chaalali, Ellyes Skhiri, Anis Ben Slimane, Mohamed Romdhane, Ali Maâloul, Ben Hmida, Aymen Dahmen Yoann Touzgha and Issam Jebali, while goalkeeper Farouk Ben Mustapha is suspended for the game.

Following this development which is good news for the Super Eagles, Interim Coach of the three-time AFCON Champions, Augustine Eguavoen, has said that he is unperturbed by the current situation in the Tunisian camp, rather, he is focused on the game and is  determined to go all out for victory.

“Yes, Tunisia may have struggled during the group stage, but don’t forget that they are a powerhouse when it comes to African football.

“So, we (will) go out there to play (well) against Tunisia tomorrow (Sunday). We are not going to underrate them and they are not going to underrate us as well.

“We will go into the game with the same approach, and same aggression (as we have done before) because we have a target set for ourselves and this is the process.

“To get in there we have to work hard, work extra hard.  Our opponents are technically very good and very organised. But things have not really been going well for them and we understand that.

But tomorrow (Sunday) may just be different. So, we will not just take our legs off the pedal,” he said.

The Coach disclosed that his team was well prepared and have been working hard in all areas and aspects of the game ahead of the match.

In this competition, the standard is so high (so much) that everybody prepares both defensively and offensively.

“We can’t tell where the goals will come from. It could either be from free-kicks, the penalty kick spot or from corner-kicks.

We work on those things. The other time, Semi Ajayi came close, Taiwo Awoniyi also came close and we have also not conceded from those set-pieces either.

“But, hopefully, we will do that tomorrow (on Sunday). We are working on those things. But we have not just been working on penalty kicks. We are working all round,” he said.

Speaking about his possible line up for the match, Eguavoen said’ “there was no reservation or preferential treatment for any player, adding that whoever was called upon would give his best.

“We are here with 27 players. Everyone is here to play. But we can’t use more than 11 players to start tomorrow.

“So o, whoever is called upon will give his best. I always tell the boys to give 100 percent. No reservation or preference for players.

“I always tell them, `if you are tired during games, simply signify to the bench and we will do the needful’,” he said.