Sheffield United's Ben Slimane among familiar names in Tunisia AFCON squad
Tunisia hope to triumph for the first time since 2004. Credit: None
Captain Youssef Msakni and Sheffield United playmaker Anis Ben Slimane are among the eye-catching names in the Tunisia squad for this month’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The Carthage Eagles will look to capture their first title since lifting it on home soil in 2004, where they defeated fellow North Africans Morrocco 2-1 in the final.
Tunisia sit 28th in the FIFA rankings but a notable absence from the final 27 is the tenacious Manchester United midfielder Hannibal Mejbri.
Manager Jalel Kadri spoke about the controversial absence of the talented young player in a recent press conference.
“Hannibal told me that he did not feel ready for the African Cup of Nations because he is going through an important situation at his club,” said Kadri.
The Carthage Eagles face Namibia in their opening game on January 16th, followed four days later by Mali and then South Africa as they bid to make the knockout stages
Tunisia squad:
Goalkeepers: Mouez Hassen (Club Africain, Tunisia), Aymen Dahmen (Al Hazem, Saudi Arabia), Bechir Ben Said (US Monastir)
Defenders: Hamza Jelassi (Etoile du Sahel, Tunisia), Yassine Meriah (Esperance, Tunisia), Alaa Ghram (Sfaxien, Tunisia), Ali Maaloul (Al Ahly, Egypt), Yan Valery (Angers, France), Ali Abdi (Caen, France), Montassar Talbi (Lorient, France), Wajdi Kechrida (Atromitos, Greece). Oussama Haddadi (Greuther Furth, Germany)
Midfielders: Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane (Ferencvaros, Hungary), Anis Ben Slimane (Sheffield United, England), Ellyes Skhiri (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany), Aissa Laidouni (Union Berlin, Germany), Houssem Tka (Esperance), Hadj Mahmoud (Lugano, Switzerland), Hamza Rafia (Leece, Italy)
Forwards: Youssef Msakni (Al Arabi, Qatar), Haythem Jouini (Stade Tunisien), Taha Yassine Khenissi (Kuwait SC, Kuwait), Sayfallah Ltaief (Winterthur, Switzerland), Bassem Srarfi (Club Africain), Naim Sliti (Al Ahli, Qatar), Mortadha Ben Ouanes (Kasimpasa, Turkey), Elias Achouri (FC Copenhagen, Denmark)
