Tunisia will be looking to maintain their unbeaten run in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers when they face Equatorial Guinea at the Nuevo Estadio de Malabo on Saturday.
The Carthage Eagles are one of six nations to have already sealed their place in Ivory Coast, while the hosts need one point in their final two to secure a second straight appearance at the continental showpiece.
Match preview
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After stumbling into the qualifiers, a run of three consecutive victories have put Equatorial Guinea on the cusps of a fourth appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Juan Micha's men kicked off their race for a place in Ivory Coast last June, when they suffered a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Tunisia in last June's reverse fixture.
However, Equatorial Guinea bounced back four days later as they picked up a 2-0 victory over Libya courtesy of second-half goals from Santiago Bocari Eneme and Federico Bikoro.
This was followed by a 2-0 victory over 10-man Botswana on March 24, four days before edging out the Zebras 3-2 in the second of their group double-header at the Obert Itani Chilume Stadium.
With nine points from four matches, Equatorial Guinea are currently second in Group J, just one point adrift of first-placed Tunisia and six above third-placed Libya.
Next up for the Nzalang Nacional is an opposing side who have won four of their last five encounters — scoring 10 goals and keeping three clean sheets — with a 1-0 loss in November 2021 being the exception.
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Tunisia reached the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations for the fourth time in a row last year, before suffering a 1-0 loss at the hands of Burkina Faso.
However, the Carthage Eagles have enjoyed an unbeaten campaign in a quest for a 20th AFCON appearance, claiming three wins and one draw in their four matches so far.
Tunisia kicked off the qualifiers with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea last June, four days before playing out a goalless draw with Botswana at the Obert Itani Chilume Stadium.
Jalel Kadri's men endured another woeful World Cup run five months later, as they were condemned to a group-stage exit after picking up four points from three matches and finishing third in Group D.
Tunisia returned to the AFCON qualifiers in March, claiming two back-to-back wins over Libya in the group double-header and becoming the sixth side to book their spot in Ivory Coast.
The 2004 African champions will now feature in a 16th consecutive Africa Cup of Nations, a run stretching back to 1922, when they failed to qualify for the continental showpiece.
Team News
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Micha had named 22 players for the upcoming game against Tunisia, including the likes of Luis Enrique Nsue, Iban Salvador and Alaves goalkeeper Jesus Owono.
Bikoro, who is the most capped player in Equatorial Guinea's history (42), has five goal involvements in his last four international outings and should lead the attack once again.
With 14 goals in 36 appearances, Emilio Nsue is currently the Nzalang Nacional all-time leading scorer and should join Bikoro in attack, Pablo Ganet and Sassuolo man Pedro Obiang should team up in midfield.
Tunisia have named 26 players for Saturday's matchup and next Tuesday's friendly against Algeria, including Manchester United youngster Hannibal Mejbri, who has already made 22 senior appearances.
Kadri has called up seven new faces to the camp, with the Tunisia-based trio of Oussama Abid, Haykeul Chikhaoui and 19-year-old Mohamed Wael Derbali in line to make their debut.
Equatorial Guinea possible starting lineup:
Owono; Ndong, E Nsue, Anvene, Akapo; Ganet, Obiang, Salvador; Miranda, W Nsue, Bikoro
Tunisia possible starting lineup:
Dahmen; Haddadi, Talbi, Meriah, Drager; Laidouni, Slimane, Mejbri; Romdhane, Jouini, Jebali
We say: Equatorial Guinea 1-1 Tunisia
Tunisia have enjoyed an impressive qualifying campaign and will be playing for pride, having already secured qualification. Equatorial Guinea, meanwhile, can book their spot in Ivory Coast with a draw this weekend and we predict that they will do just enough to force a share of the spoils.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
