Tunisia will square off Madagascar in an intriguing Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal at Al Salam Stadium in Cairo on Thursday.
Kick Off is at 21:00hrs CAT.
The North Africans are the favourites to progress to face Senegal but it will be foolhardy to write off the Bareas, especially with their historical run at their maiden appearance in the Nations Cup.
The game will pitch the slick skills of Wahbi Al-Khazri and his teammates against a well-organized Madagascar side which combines skills with a physical presence.
Tunisia progressed to the quarterfinal after beating Ghana through penalties. Both teams had battled to a 1-1 draw in regulation time with Taha Yassine Khenissi opening the scoring for the North Africans before Rami Bedoui’s unfortunate own goal on the stroke of 90 minutes drew the score level.
Madagascar also needed penalties to qualify as they surprising beat DR Congo following a 2-2 draw in regulation time.
The Bareas scored their four attempts at the spot kicks while Congo’s Marcel Tosserand and Yannick Bolasie missed two penalties to declare Madagascar winners.
Victory over the Leopards was proceeded by wins over Burundi and Nigeria, while they were held to a 2-2 draw against Guinea in their first ever AFCON game.
Madagascar are not expected to make too many changes to the team that faced DR. Congo with Ibrahim Amada and Faneva Andriatsima set to start following their goals last time out.
The Carthage Eagles will be depending on impressive attacker Yassine Meriah who has stood out more than others. He can be able to play as an attacking midfielder or a striker making him the most creative force on his side.
Coached by Alian Giresse, Tunisia are determined not to give away any possible advantage ahead of the match.
In a pre-match interview, Giresse indicated that he will bring on tactics to confuse his opponents as his first target of a last-eight place has been achieved.
“We are capable of lifting the trophy 15 years after doing so for the first time,” he said.
Madagascar and Tunisia have met competitively only twice with Tunisia winning 1-0 at home and 2-0 away in 2002 World Cup qualifiers.
Should Madagascar eliminate experienced Tunisia, they will become the first Cup of Nations debutants since South Africa in 1996 to reach the semi-finals.
