Tunisia, Zambia OK, but Cape Verde and DRC may struggle
What you need to know:
- As the top most ranked team in the group (in position 3 out of 52 nations), Tunisia breezed through its qualifying group that also consisted Senegal, Egypt and Botswana by amassing 14 points out of a possible 18.
- Zambia’s Chipolopolo (the bullets) is one of the nations primed to offer Tunisia a run for their money in this pool.
Previous holders Tunisia, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo alongside perceived minnows Cape Verde Islands, all posses the quality, grit and experience to come out of Group B, and secure qualification into the round of 16 of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
But which duo among this quartet will actually come out of this group?
The Carthage Eagles as the North African nation is otherwise referred to in the world of football, seem the most polished teams of the lot - on paper.
GREAT MANAGER
As the top most ranked team in the group (in position 3 out of 52 nations), Tunisia breezed through its qualifying group that also consisted Senegal, Egypt and Botswana by amassing 14 points out of a possible 18.
In George Leekens, the 2004 champions boast of a highly exposed manager who boasts of stints amongst other places in the Turkish and Belgian leagues.
The North Africans, who are hoping to make up for the loss of Egypt (who failed to qualify) and Morocco (which was suspended after failing to host the competition) at the event, will heavily bank on the services of explosive forward Issam Jemaa and team captain Aymen Mathlouthi, to steer the team towards success.
Zambia’s Chipolopolo (the bullets) is one of the nations primed to offer Tunisia a run for their money in this pool.
The team however will have to vastly improve on their recent form - that has taken a consistent nose dive since the side won this competition two years ago.
With the likes of star players Christopher Katongo and Reinfold Kalaba fast fading and new coach Honour Janza yet to find his feet, Zambia limped through the qualifying phase to finish behind Cape Verde Islands but ahead of Mozambique and Niger.
The team has its work cut out if they are to bring back the fond memories to their die hard supporters in Lusaka, Kitwe and Ndola.
Elsewhere, DR Congo will certainly showcase much more than the latest trend of hairstyles and the iconic bum dance of custodian Robert Kidiaba in Malabo, while the onus is on Cape Verde to for the first time, translate the impressive qualifying form into the tournament proper.
