Sierra Leone is not better than us physically or technically… Sami Trabelsi
Sierra Express Media UK sports desk has been following the Carthage preparation on Tuesday ahead of their 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier away to Sierra Leone. This Saturday’s match in Freetown is the first in a two-leg tie but has been overshadowed by Sierra Leone’s decision to include a player in their squad who allegedly doesn’t meet FIFA’s selection criteria.
Tunisia has been training in the capital of Tunis in preparation of the first leg of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with Sierra Leone and the head Coach Sami Trabelsi (in photo) who is working on putting his players through their paces and counter attacking style of play, has said is very important they get a result in Freetown because he believes his side is better than Sierra Leone, physically and technically.
“We have been together for a while; the players have been playing together for some time now, trying a few things on the counter, there are things we can improve on, like ball possession and creating chances, and we have some defensive issues. I think we can improve from one match to another. This match (against Sierra Leone) is against a team that is not better than us either physically or technically,” Trabelsi said.
Nigerian-born striker Victor Kayode was included in the 19-man squad after he was introduced to Leone Stars coach Lars Olof Mattsson by suspended skipper Ibrahim Kargbo. However, recent media reports in Sierra Leone reiterated that the Nigerian-born is cleared to wear the green, white and blue colours of Sierra Leone’s national flag. At that moment the striker (Victor Igbekoyi Kayode) has insisted that he meets the world football governing body FIFA criteria to play for the Sierra Leone national team, the Leone Stars.
Despite the reported controversy surrounding their opponents “The Eagles of Carthage” are keen to concentrate on their own game, with Tunisia coach Sami Trabelsi admitting the team has a few defensive issues to work on ahead of Saturday.
Tunisia reached the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations in January this year and, as hosts, were champions back in 2004.
The Africa Cup of Nations was scheduled to be held in Libya next year but due to the political unrest in the country South Africa will host the tournament instead.
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