Kickoff (Cape Town)
30 October 2008
Tunisia coach Humberto Coelho has wasted little time in starting his preparations for next year's qualifying campaign ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in Tunisia with a friendly match against Nigeria's West African neighbours Benin scheduled to take place in Tunis on November 19.
Tunisia are grouped with Nigeria, Kenya and Mozambique and Coelho admits that his team were not favoured by being drawn with Nigeria, whom he described as group favourites.
"This is a strong team that has great strengths with players who play in foreign championships," Coelho, who replaced Frenchman Roger Lemerre in June, pointed out but remained clear about his objectives with his team.
"The key is to prepare for this important competition and be focused, serious and united in every game to win points, because our main goal is qualification for World Cup 2010 in South Africa."
He lamented the lack of time available to meet with his squad.
"Between March and October 2009, we have only one Cup date next August 20 for a friendly match and we must take this factor into account," he said, adding that he would try to establish a good program and that contacts are underway with African teams to arrange friendly matches.
To familiarise himself with his squad, the Portuguese says he has visited at least four of the players who are expected to be the cornerstone of his squad, while axing two others for showing bad attitude during their last friendly game against France.
"I first met Yassine Chikhaoui (of FC Zurich, Switzerland), who affirmed his full readiness to return to the national team once he makes recovery," said Coelho, who also visited Seif Ghezal of Swiss club Young Boys.
Another one on Coelho's itinerary was the young Fakhreddine Guelb who also plays in Switzerland with Wadrauz.
Coelho then traveled to Germany to see Jawhar M'Nari at Nuremberg.
"I attended a training session of his club and discussed with the coach. This is a player who has qualities, he is progressing, but he must work more," he said while welcoming the return of Mejdi Traou for his Austrian club Salzburg, adding that he counted on the player for the first match against Kenya, next March in Nairobi.
Two players who will not be hearing Coelho's knock on their doors anytime soon are Alaeddine Yahia and Saber Ben Frej, after the coach slammed them for bad behavior.
"I do not disrespect and I did not like their behavior on the field, so I will not use them for the next matches against Benin on 19 November in Tunis," said Coelho.
Originally scheduled in Sousse, the match will take place in Tunis.
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