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
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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.
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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.
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Team News
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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
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
Joshua Ojele
