African champions Tunisia begin their title defense on Sunday when they face Zambia in Group C action in Alexandria before South Africa play Guinea. The Carthage Eagles are looking to become only the second African team to retain their title after Cameroon in 2002. Tunisia, who rounded off their preparation with a 2-0 confidence-building victory over Ghana a week before the tournament kick-off, have arrived in Egypt with a star-studded squad. Tunisia's French coach Roger Lemerre brought to Cairo with him skipper Riadh Bouazizi, Brazilian-born forward Francileudo dos Santo, Dutch-based Hatem Trabelsi and British Bolton Wanderers' centre-back Radhi Jaidi. The Frenchman's main concern will be to prepare for this year's World Cup finals and win the continental title as a kind of morale booster before traveling to Germany this summer. Lemerre holds the record for wining two consecutive titles on different continents after leading France to Euro 2000 success. Meanwhile opponents Zambia, coached by local legend Kalusha Bwalya, came to Egypt with a young squad looking more or less for experience. Zambia have not won against a North African side since beating Egypt 3-1 at the 1996 tournament held in South Africa.
South Africa "We have nothing to fear because we are here on merit. But we respect Tunisia and I think they have to respect us too," Kalusha told reporters on Sunday. PROBABLE LINEUPS TUNISIA: Ali Boumnijel, Hatem Trabelsi, Jose Clayton, Radhi Jaidi, Karim Hagui, Riadh Bouazizi, Adel Chadli, Jawher Mnari, Kais Ghodhbane, Francileudo dos Santos and Zied Jaziri. ZAMBIA: George Kolala, Clive Hachilensa, Joseph Musonda, Kennedy Nkethani, Elijah Tana, Andrew Sinkala, Christopher Katongo, Lameck Njovu, Collins Mbesuma, James Chamanga and Numba Mumamba. Later on Monday, South Africa, powered by their recent 2-1 win over hosts Egypt in the final warm up for the tournament, will take on Guinea. The 2010 World Cup hosts are putting their hopes on veteran strikers Benni McCarthy and Sibusiso Zuma. Guinea, on the other hand, opted to replace their notorious old guard that included the likes of Aboubacar “Titi'' Camara and Morlay Soumah with a younger more physical contingent with hopes of improving their African Cup record.
