An interesting fixture is on the cards as Tunisia and Namibia go toe-to-toe with each other in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023). Which of these sides will go home with all the spoils?
Tunisia vs Namibia overview
This Group E match will take place at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium on Tuesday January 16. Kick-off time is 6 pm WAT.
Tunisia
Tunisia are in the hunt for their first AFCON title in two decades. They won their first and only title as hosts in 2004, and their best outing since then was a fourth-place finish in 2019.
Jalel Kadri will hope to steer the Carthage Eagles to victory.
Namibia
Namibia, on the other hand, are on a quest to get past the group stages for the first time in history. This will be their fourth appearance at this tournament, they finished last in their respective groups in their last three campaigns. It'll be interesting to see how far the Brave Warriors can go.
Tunisia vs Namibia head to head
Tunisia and Namibia first met in April 1997, in the qualifying rounds of the France 98 FIFA World Cup. These teams have clashed a total of three times, and Tunisia have a perfect record in those encounters.
However, it's important to note that the most recent clash between these teams was in 2007. This will also be the first time these outfits square off against each other at the AFCON.
Tunisia vs Namibia potential lineups
Tunisia are expected to line up in a 4-4-2 formation, with Youssef Msakni and Taha Yassine Khenissi leading the charge.
Meanwhile, Namibia's coach Collin Benjamin is expected to use a 4-3-3 formation. It's worth keeping an eye out for Peter Shalulile, who has been in sensational form for Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa's Premier Soccer League.
That said, these are our probable Tunisia vs Namibia lineups:
Tunisia
Goalkeeper: Bechir Ben Said.
Defenders: Ali Abdi, Montassar Talbi, Yassine
Meriah, Wajdi Kechrida.
Midfielders: Aïssa Laidouni, Naim Sliti, Ellyes
Skhiri, Anis Ben Slimane.
Forwards: Youssef Msakni, Taha Yassine
Khenissi.
Namibia
Goalkeeper: Kamaijanda Ndisiro.
Defenders: Aprocius Petrus, Lubeni Haukongo,
Kennedy Amutenya, Ryan Nyambe.
Midfielders: Riann Hanamub, Petrus Shitembi, Prins
Tjiueza.
Forwards: Deon Hotto, Peter Shalulile, Absalom
Limbondi.
Tunisia vs Namibia tactical analysis
Tunisia have been able to depend on their defence in recent months, as they did not concede a single goal in their last four matches. Jalel Kadri's troops have enjoyed some fine form, with three wins and a draw in their last four games.
In contrast, Namibia aren't particularly high on morale ahead of this tournament, as they managed one win in their last eight games. Collin Benjamin's side have also found it difficult to get on the scoresheet, as they blanked in four of their last five games.
Tunisia vs Namibia prediction
We've established that Tunisia do not concede a lot of goals, and Namibia have struggled to score. On that note, we shouldn't expect goals at both ends.
Although Namibia did not score in four of their last five matches, they kept four clean sheets in that five-game stretch, allowing just one goal.
Tunisia have played six consecutive matches where one team failed to score. Likewise, at least one team blanked in all of Namibia's last five games.
For this reason, our Tunisia vs Namibia prediction is BTTS – no.
Where to watch Tunisia vs Namibia live
Fans who reside in Tunisia can tune into El Watania 1, beIN Sports 1 AFCON and beIN Sports Max 1, 2 & 3 for live coverage of this clash.
On the other hand, Namibians can catch all the action live on Supersport Football Plus and Supersport Maximo.
