The Tunisian national team is the most experienced African outfit heading to Germany this year. The "Carthage Eagles" are also one of two Arab countries representing the region in this year's World Cup finals. FilGoal.com presents you with a closer look at the North African powerhouse: History Tunisia's World Cup debut in Argentina in 1978 under national coach Abdelmajid Chetali was sensational. The Carthage Eagles took-off to a flying start and produced a stunning win over Mexico in their first game. The team continued with their good performances and suffered a slender 1-0 defeat to 1974 bronze medallists Poland before holding reigning champions Germany to a goalless stalemate in their final group game. Despite their three precious points, the North Africans finished third in their group and had to exit the tournament. Their next World Cup finals appearance came 20 years later in France under Polish coach Henri Kasperczak. Tunisia's comeback to the world stage was not as successful as fans back home would have hoped for. They lost to England and Columbia and managed a draw against Romania to go home early. Four years later, Tunisia made it to their third World Cup, which took place in South Korea and Japan. The Tunisian team was co-coached by Ammar Souayah and Khemais Labidi and once again failed to make it to the knockout stages after losing to Russia and Japan and tying with Belgium. Tunisia on the Roll Tunisia made up for its World Cup disappointment by winning the 2004 African Cup of Nations title on home soil for the first time in history and continued their good showing be reaching the finals in Germany this year.
Roger Lemerre French coach Roger Lemerre has at his disposal one of the best squads in Africa, they needed to be to edge out arch-rivals Morocco and secure qualification for Germany. The Tunisians' qualification campaign was impressive; an early loss away to Guinea was rendered irrelevant by a run of five successive victories. Morocco were kept at arm's length by two draws, the latter of which came on the final day, with the Eagles all but mathematically assured of success due to the huge Tunisian goal tally. A Resilient Tunisian Squad Lemerre has brilliantly managed to create a balanced squad that includes experienced, talented, young and hard working players, most of which play in European leagues. However, Lemerre did choose all three goalkeepers from local clubs. Ali Boumnijel (Club African) is the first choice goalkeeper and will, at 40 years of age, be one of the oldest finals participants ever. He's been first choice now for four years, having played all three games at the 2002 World Cup Finals and in the 2004 and 2006 African Cup of Nations. Despite his relatively old age, Boumnijel has proved himself as one of the most versatile and prominent African keepers, due to a decade of acting as an understudy to former star Chokri El Ouaer. Boumnijel has two splendid back up keepers in Hamdi Kasraoui (Esperance Sportive Tunis) and Adel Nefzi (US Monastir). In defence, Tunisia has a number of seasoned players who have plied their trade in Europe over many years. Among them is the young, yet experienced, Karim Hagui (Racing Club Strasbourg, France) who plays at right-back. Hagui was the youngest member of the victorious 2004 side and even scored the decisive penalty in the semifinal shootout. The left-back slot could well be filled by the only home based defender, Mehdi Meriah (Etoile Sahel) is a veteran of the domestic game, having played for most of Tunisia's top clubs. He can also play in central defence, midfield or as a fullback and is deadly
