Mariem Houij, a Tunisia striker, made it clear that his dream was to participate in the 2023 World Cup in Australia or New Zealand. “We will be ready. We will fight hard, and we won’t let up in the second round. To reach the semi-finals, you must do everything.“, confided the great star of Tunisia at the microphone of Sport News Africa. Tunisia reached the quarter-finals despite only one victory (4-1 against Togo) from its three matches. Mariem Houij will have to work with her team to find the perfect match to defeat the Banyana Banyana from South Africa. This is quite a challenge.
South Africans now have Jermaine Staplana, Refiloe Ja, and Hildah Magaia as their competitors. Players who can take down any defense. The Nigerians were the reigning African champions. They learned this the hard way at the beginning of this CAN. The Banyana Banyana beat (2-1), the formidable Nigerian team featuring its stars. They won Burundi (3-1), and Botswana (1-1).
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5⃣ players scored 2️⃣ goals in one game in the #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 🌟
In the knockout stages, are there any new additions? 👀 #EmpoweringOurGame pic.twitter.com/Q2SaIbGqjQ
— #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 (@CAFwomen) July 12, 2022
“Tunisians are motivated to create the feat”
Rouis Damdoun, coach of AS women Sousse hopes for a burst in pride despite the setbacks he suffered against Cameroon (0-2), Zambia (1-0). The technician who led the club’s small categories (youngest and smallest) to the Tunisian Cup crown this season, Rouis Damdoun hopes to feel optimistic for the duel against vice-champions of Africa.
“We have a strong team. We were selected for the second round. Girls should be encouraged. Tomorrow (This ThursdaySouth Africa will be our opponent in a cleaver match. It’s 50/50 with Kgatlana. The majority of our players have professional backgrounds. We hope to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup. I am in touch with a few players. They are motivated to create the exploit. It will be a difficult match. Our players can take on their opponents“, declares the interim coach of ASF Sousse. Soulaima Jabrani, goalkeeper; and Ghaya Jeddi, attacking midfielder, were present at the ceremony. CANMorocco was not too long ago under his orders.
“It’s difficult to beat South Africa”
Currently in charge of the small category of ASF Sahel, the former Tunisian international, Hanén Mezni, is much more measured. She wanted to praise the performance of the players who are the backbone of the selection and were trained at her club. Nevertheless, she acknowledged that the South Africans had made a strong impression on her during the first round.
“There are 7 players who have come to us and who are at the CAN. These five players are unquestionable starters. We are proud of our national team reaching the quarter-finals. We are very happy to have finished as the best third. It’s a feat that the players have accomplished. Our game can sometimes be messy. South Africa is doing a great job. Their play is well-organized and consistent. It will be hard to beat them. We can keep hope. Sometimes we are pleasantly pleasantly surprised. The reality on the ground may be different from what people think,” Supports the former defender Tunisia.
Star Mariem Houij made her debut at ASF Sahel. Defender Rania Aouina and Sabrine Mamay, Ghada Ayadi, Yasmine Jemi and Yasmine Trodi all had a great time at ASF Sahel before they went on to make a living abroad.
🌍It’s in our culture🤩
The best #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022Celebrations so far 🥳#EmpoweringOurGame | @Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/OCFTdtBOI0
— #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 (@CAFwomen) July 11, 2022
The recipe for beating Banyana Banyana
Hanén Mezni believes that to meet the challenge, her former teammates are obliged to sublimate themselves against South Africa. “You need to be solid behind the goal and in midfield to beat South Africa. Girls must be focused and give their best. Shaima Abbasi, captain, needs to review his reminders. Forwards must be realistic in order to make a difference.», Analyzes the one who won the UNAF Cup in 2009 and a double championship and Tunisian Cup in 2014.
If the technician Samir Landolsi and his protégés manage to beat the South Africans, it will be a memorable moment for Tunisian women’s football. They will have more to their CAN. It would be beyond all expectations. An epic.
Ablaye DIALLO
Source: sportnewsafrica
