Tunisia's national team coach, Moez Kebaier, has emphasized that his team has no option but to win against Botswana on September 27, 2026, in their second Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. The team is currently tied with Uganda, Libya, and Botswana at the top of Group Eight, with one point each, after the first round of matches ended in a 1-1 draw for Tunisia against Uganda and a 2-2 draw for Libya against Botswana.
Kebaier highlighted the importance of the upcoming match against Botswana, describing it as a crucial encounter against a direct competitor. He stressed that his team will do everything in their power to secure a win, taking into account the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents. The coach also mentioned that Botswana demonstrated their ability to cause problems for their opponents during their match against Libya.
The national team's preparation for the match has been affected by injuries to some key players. Coach Kebaier confirmed that Alaa Ghram, who recently recovered from an injury, will not participate in the match against Botswana due to medical concerns. Additionally, Issa El-Idoumi, who suffered from a high fever on the eve of the Uganda match, has gradually returned to training and his availability for the Botswana match will be evaluated before the game.
Veteran player Ali Maaloul emphasized the importance of unity within the team, highlighting the support shown to goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen after the Uganda match. Maaloul stated that the team discussed the incident and showed solidarity with Dahmen, considering the team as one family. He stressed that the team's interests should be prioritized and urged Tunisian fans to rally behind the team when they wear the national jersey and defend Tunisia's colors.
The team's performance in the qualifiers has been under scrutiny, with Kebaier acknowledging that they lost two points in the draw against Uganda. He emphasized that the team needs to regain those points as soon as possible and will focus on their direct competitors in the group, including Botswana and Libya. The coach expressed confidence in his team's abilities and vowed to make the necessary adjustments to secure a win against Botswana.
The match against Botswana is expected to be a challenging encounter for Tunisia, with Kebaier acknowledging the opponent's capabilities. He emphasized that his team will need to be at their best to secure a win and advance in the qualifiers. The team's fans are eagerly anticipating the match, hoping that their team will deliver a positive result and take a significant step towards qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations.
The outcome of the match will have a significant impact on the team's chances of advancing in the qualifiers. A win for Tunisia would give them a significant boost in their campaign, while a loss or draw could make their task more difficult. The team's players and coaching staff are focused on achieving a positive result and will give their all to secure a win against Botswana.
Key points
- Tunisia's national team coach, Moez Kebaier, says they have no choice but to win against Botswana in their second Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
