There will be plenty of South African eyeballs on this game as Bafana Bafana’s Group E foes Tunisia and Namibia battle it out a few hours before Hugo Broos’ side face Mali.
AFCON 2023
Match 9 – Tunisia v Namibia
Tuesday 16 January | 19:00
High-scoring Tunisia will look to get their AFCON campaign off with a bang against Namibia. That said, the Brave Warriors have had a change of leadership that seems to be working wonders. This one won’t disappoint!
To Win Match
Tunisia 7/20 | Draw 28/10 | Namibia 8/1
The Eagles of Carthage will look to build on a strong set of recent results. Jalel Kadri’s men got their AFCON qualifiers off to a flyer – a 4-0 romp over Equatorial Guinea on home soil. In that, veteran forward, Youssef Msakni came off the bench and bagged a brace. He could be one to watch in this squad.
Tunisia pushed on from there and qualified top of their group. And they did so with some impressive defensive displays – conceding just a single goal as they booked their ticket to Ivory Coast. It was that same defence that shone during the two World Cup Qualifiers. Tunisia recorded back-to-back clean sheets across those two victories, scoring five goals during that time.
There is an ace in the Tunisian team that could set this game alight. Elias Achouri of Cophenagen is part of the side that finished second in Group A of the Champions League, ahead of star-studded Galatasaray and Manchester United outfits. If he’s on song, Tunisia stand every chance of qualifying for the knockouts.
Namibia have their work cut out in this group. The Brave Warriors secured qualification for AFCON, by a point over Burundi (despite failing to beat the nation in their double-header). Their qualification campaign saw two managers at the helm, with Bobby Samaria relieved of his duties and Collin Benjamin appointed.
The change in management appears to be working a treat. Namibia went on to find the back of the net five times in Benjamin’s three AFCON qualifiers. A 2-0 victory over San Tome and Principe in their FIFA World Cup Qualifier has further emboldened this tight-knit group.
Peter Shalulile enters the tournament with a prolific goal-scoring record, having plied his trade for several years at Mamelodi Sundowns. The hitman was on target during the second leg of the inaugural African Football League trophy, after his club fell to a deficit in the first leg. His goal paved the way for Masandawana to go on and lift the trophy, which tells me he is a big game player.
Verdict: Tunisia 7/20
Tunisia have a well-rounded team, with a formidable attack and a resolute defence. In this one, I think their form will carry them over the line. It could be a game of fine margins as their opponents have also churned out some impressive results in recent history. I have to give this one to Tunisia.
