MX23RW : Thursday, November 21 17:24:49| >> :600:258244:258244:
[monks data]
Tunisia national football team
Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying | Group Stage
Jun 2, 2022 at 8pm UK
Stade Olympique de Radès
Equatorial Guinea national football team

Tunisia
4 - 0
Eq Guinea

Sliti (56'), Jaziri (77'), Msakni (80', 85')
Mejbri (32'), Yassine Khenissi (73'), Sassi (75')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Owono (45'), Lopez Elo (58')
Lopez Elo (71')

Preview: Tunisia vs. Eq Guinea - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying clash between Tunisia and Equatorial Guinea, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Tunisia and Equatorial Guinea get their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign underway when they square off at the Stade Olympique de Rades in Group J on Thursday.

The Carthage Eagles, who are unbeaten in five consecutive home outings, head into the game off the back of securing a place in the upcoming World Cup and will look to keep the juggernaut rolling.


Match preview

Tunisia's Anis Ben Slimane, Dylan Bronn and Montassar Talbi wait as VAR reviews their penalty on January 12, 2022© Reuters

Tunisia were last in action on March 23, when they saw off their West-African counterparts Mali to secure qualification for the 2022 World Cup later in the year.

Having picked up a 1-0 first-leg victory in Bamako courtesy of a first-half own goal by Moussa Sissako, Jalel Kadri's side put on a defensive masterclass on home turf in the return leg to hold out for a goalless draw and win the tie 1-0 on aggregate.

Prior to that, Tunisia suffered a quarter-final exit from the Africa Cup of Nations back in January, when Lorient forward Dango Ouattara netted on the stroke of half time to hand Burkina Faso a hard-fought victory.

The Carthage Eagles head into Thursday's game unbeaten in each of their last five games on home turf, picking up four wins and one draw since a 2-0 loss at the hands of Algeria in June 2021.

Equatorial Guinea's Saul Coco, Iban Salvador and Pablo Ganet celebrate after winning the penalty shoot out on January 26, 2022© Reuters

Equatorial Guinea, on the other hand, suffered a 3-1 defeat against Senegal in their most recent outing — a result which saw them crash out of the Africa Cup of Nations in the quarter-finals.

Prior to that, Juan Micha's side finished runners-up in the group stages with six points from three games in Group E before seeing off Mali on penalties in the round of 16 on January 26.

The Nzalang Nacional head into Thursday's game unbeaten in 11 of their last 15 outings since 2019, picking up nine wins and two draws in that time.

Equatorial Guinea will now look to keep this solid run going as they eye a second consecutive Africa Cup of Nations appearance for the first time in history.

However, their first task is the challenge of taking on one-time African champions Tunisia, who are unbeaten in five of the last seven meetings between the sides since 2012.

Tunisia form (all competitions):
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • D

Equatorial Guinea form (all competitions):
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • L


Team News

Tunisia's Nader Ghandri with teammates celebrate after qualifying to the World Cup on March 29, 2022© Reuters

Tunisia have named a 26-man list for the upcoming qualification games, including the Esperance de Tunis trio of goalkeeper Mohamed Sedki Debchi, midfielder Ghailene Chaalali and 18-year-old Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane.

Manchester United youngster Hannibal Mejbri, who boasts 12 international caps, should start in midfield, teaming up with Chaalali and Ferencvaros man Aissa Laidouni.

Saint-Etienne forward Wahbi Khazri has been omitted by Kadri, meaning Youssef Msakni, who has 15 goals in 82 senior appearances, should lead the line alongside 29-year-old forward Naim Sliti.

Twenty-three-year-old Elias Achouri is one of five potential debutants in the squad, alongside Stade Rennais goalkeeper Elias Damergy and defender Alaa Ghram, who impressed with CS Sfaxien in the Tunisian top flight.

As for Equatorial Guinea, Micha has drawn up 25 players for their qualifiers, with the likes of Sassuolo's Pedro Obiang and 23-year-old defender Basilio Ndong headlining the squad.

Hercules midfielder Federico Bikoro, who is the most capped player in the team with 36 senior appearances to his name, should be handed a starting role in midfield, alongside 27-year-old Pablo Ganet.

At the heart of the defence, we will likely see a centre-back pairing of Cosme Anvene and Miguel Angel Maye, shielding Alaves goalkeeper Jesus Owono between the sticks.

Tunisia possible starting lineup:
Ben Said; Drager, Ghandri, Talbi, Maaloul; Chaalali, Laidouni, Mejbri; Sliti, Msakni, Jaziri

Equatorial Guinea possible starting lineup:
Owono; Ndong, Maye, Anvene, Anienoh; Garnet, Miranda, Bikoro, Eneme; Nsue, Belima


SM words green background

We say: Tunisia 2-1 Equatorial Guinea

Off the back of securing their place in Qatar, Tunisia will head into the game with sky-high confidence as they look to get their qualification campaign off to a flyer. While Equatorial Guinea have put together a fine run of form, we are backing the Carthage Eagles to ease to all three points on home turf.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


ID:487146:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect10181:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Tunisia vs Eq Guinea

Tunisia
72.7%
Draw
9.1%
Equatorial Guinea
18.2%
22
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
A general shot of a Premier League football ahead of the Premier League clash between Everton and West Ham United at Goodison Park on October 30, 2016
Read Next:
Standard Liege squad hit by coronavirus cases ahead of Rangers clash
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!