Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Rafik EL HERGUEM
Published on 2024-03-23 09:30:37
photo credit: © Mokhtar HMIMA
The numerous absences should initiate a new more proactive and “liberated” starting eleven than that of the CAN. We are not going to question everything, but at the same time new reference points and frameworks are hoped for.
Technically and tactically, this match against Croatia is interesting to follow. It is even a reference test that is not lacking in stakes. Against these Balkan “artists”, we will see if this revamped version of the national team will be able to resist and send positive signals for the future. For a team in full reconstruction and lacking in project and direction, this match comes at a delicate transitional moment that recalls, in the past, other tests that have allowed a new team to emerge and a new start. This recalls, for example, the famous friendly match against England in 1990. A team put together at the last minute and made up of a mix of a core that failed to qualify for the Italian World Cup and some elements that later succeeded under the guidance of M’rad Mahjoub.
The post-tournament period will be crucial for the future invested federal bureau. This means that players like Achouri, Saâd, Ltaïef, Haj Mahmoud, and all the players who failed to establish themselves in the group at the last CAN have the opportunity to show the new national team selectors that they can create a new dynamic and overlook the troubles of the past. Playing against Croatia is not an opportunity that presents itself every day, so it is the best context for these players to show what they are capable of. It is not only the new young expatriates who will be followed, but also former key players destined for secondary roles in the team (mere fill-ins) to rehabilitate themselves. Players like Rafiâa, Ghandri, Jelassi, Jaziri, Haddadi, Moez Hassan, Mathlouthi are no longer starters. They were there to complete a 23-man squad and to be on the bench.
In all of this, Montasser Louhichi, who is not usually a fan of youth every time he has coached, should not rush into a total upheaval. And in a way, it won’t be a bad idea. Building anew from scratch is often a risky adventure in a national team. The core of the team will be there, notably Ben Saïd, Abdi, Aïdouni, Achouri, Kechrida (or Drager), while the competition will be tough for other positions. Two key objectives behind this match against Croatia: honoring Tunisian football, and preparing for the future national team. Whether we like it or not, many influential players will fade away and gradually disappear.
The future belongs more to players like Achouri, Ltaïef, Saâd, Cherni, Hadj Mahmoud, Aidouni, Abdi, Rafiaâ, Kechrida, and of course Talbi, Skhiri, Meriah, Ben Saïd and the key players who still have things to show in the team.
Perhaps the friendly tournament in Egypt will be the last act in the national team not only for those absent, but also for several players included in this squad who should also not be there in the future.
Read the original article(French) on La Presse Tunisie
