If we must rely on the second of their unique confrontations in the finals of the Nations Cup, the 1-0 victory of Tunisia in the quarter-final of the 2004 edition; their previous meeting during the finals of the 2004 edition, which Tunisia won 1-0, the duel between the Carthage Eagles and the Teranga Lions will be a key one with both teams sharing identical up and down tales.


During the last four years, the Tunisian team has witnessed a decline that is peculiar to ancient champions who have had difficulties getting out of their dreams.A team that witnessed great stability under Roger Lemerre has for the past five years lacked the homogeneity that made it the champion of the 24th edition with the commendable showing of Etoile du Sahel and Club Sportif Sfaxien, respective winners of the MTN-CAF Champions League and the Confederations Cup now boosting the potentials of the national team.


Tunisia’s Francileudo dos Santos, a non regular at his club is not match fit, but will be required to seize the opportunity with both hands to reinstate himself.


Other players ply their trade in Europe, but like coach Roger Lemmere will say, it is one thing to belong to a club, another to be on the starting line up.


The Coach would most likely play the Etoile card since eight of his players belong to the champion club and that could guarantee cohesion with the presence of central defender Raihi Jaidi of Birmingham City who has come out of retirement to help his country expected to enhance their chances.


If Tunisia has problems, Senegal can also claim same as its last outings have been nothing to write home about with the Teranga Lions anxious to restore their presence in the biennial fiesta.


Finalist in 2002, quarter-finalists in 2004 and semi-finalists in 2006 in Egypt, they have always gone into the competition with great potentials.


This year is a bit different, sneaking in with great humility could be a success formula and their Polish coach Henri Kasperczak, who is serious and rigid and succeeded in taking Mali to the semi-finals in 2002 is no stranger at such attitudinal changes.


In form attacking trio of Mamadou Niang, El Hadji Diouf and Henri Camara can take the Teranga Lions to the expected summit by receiving the right supply from midfield genus Ousmane Ndoye, Diomansy Kamara and Papa Bouba Diop.


In the central defence, experienced Habib Beye, Lamine Diatta and goalkeeper Tony Sylva hold sway.


Two strange formations; a match that could give a lot of pleasure to non-committed spectators.