As Tunisia head into their final group game of the Africa Cup of Nations against Bafana Bafana with all to play for, here's a look at three dangermen who could pose a serious threat to South Africa's defence on Wednesday evening!
Bafana will be looking to win consecutive AFCON games for the first time since 2000 when they face off in a crucial match against the 2004 champions on Wednesday evening. Tunisia are winless in their first two matches at the tournament in the Ivory Coast, finding themselves rooted to the bottom of Group E and needing a victory to give themselves any chance of progressing to the round of 16.
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The north African giants are certainly a wounded side as they head into the match, having won just one of their past eight group games at the tournament.
As such, they are expected to produce a strong performance in their decisive encounter against South Africa, who are aiming to reach the knockout stage for a second successive appearance at the competition.
Hugo Broos' men need to be wary of the danger posed by the Tunisian attack, however. Here are three Lions of Carthage stars they need to keep an eye on!
Youssef Msakni
The veteran striker recently made history at AFCON when he joined an elite band of players who have appeared in eight editions of the showpiece, the others being Ahmed Hassan of Egypt, Rigobert Song of Cameroon, and more recently Andre Ayew of Ghana. Having also recently earned his 100th cap for his country, Msakni remains a potent threat as he has seven goals and four assists in 28 AFCON matches, although he has never faced Bafana before. It will be crucial for the 33-year-old to replicate his form in the Qatar Stars League, where he has registered six goals and one assist in 10 matches for Al-Arabi SC so far this season, according to Transfermarkt, if Tunisia are to get the three points tonight.
Anis Ben Slimane
The Danish-born midfielder will look to dictate the game from the middle of the park, where he will face off against Mzansi's Teboho Mokoena, who put in a solid display against Namibia earlier this week, during which he also grabbed an assist for the final goal in their 4-0 win. Slimane is one of a long list of players who ply their trade in the Premier League, having joined Sheffield United from Brondby in July. The promising 22-year-old has since made 10 appearances for the Blades, including starts against Manchester City, Arsenal, and Aston Villa. Despite his age, his has already won 33 caps for his country too.
Elias Achouri
The left-winger has been in fine form this season, bagging three goals and seven assists in 13 Danish Superliga matches for his club Copenhagen. According to FBRef, he has the most assists in the league, and also ranks third in the division for shots and goal chance creation. Achouri has played a key part in the side's sensational run in the UEFA Champions League, where they have sealed a spot in the round of 16 despite being drawn in a group with Bayern Munich, Manchester United, and Galatasaray. Bafana's fullbacks will have to be wary of his tricky skills and explosive pace on the flanks this evening.
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