Trabelsi wins African Nations Cup with Tunisia
14 February: Hatem Trabelsi can proudly call
himself 'champion of Africa'. The Ajacied won the African
Nations Cup with Tunisia today, beating Morocco in the final:
2-1. In spite of the persistent knee injury that has been
causing Trabelsi trouble for many weeks, the right fullback
played the full 90 minutes.
Tunisia took an early lead against Morocco on a 5th minute
goal by Dos Santos. Mokhtari equalized for Morocco before
the half time break. A dramatic error by Morocco goalkeeper
Fouhami in the second half turned out to be decisive. Jaziri
pushed the winner against the netting from close range:
2-1.
For a long time it seemed like Hatem Trabelsi was going to
miss the African Nations Cup, which was played in Tunisia. He
was recovering from a knee injury in Amsterdam and was added to
the Tunisia squad at the very last moment. He was on the bench
for the first group game against Rwanda (24 January), but
unexpectedly returned to competitive action in the 86th minute
of that match, which Tunisia won by 2-1.
The Ajax fullback was also left out of the starting line-up
for the second group game against Congo (28 January). He was
brought on in the 55th minute of Tunisia's comfortable 3-0 win.
Trabelsi played very well and provided Braham with the assist
for the second goal. His performance was more than enough to
convince coach Lamerre of his fitness: Trabelsi started in
the third and final group game against Guinea (01 February). He
was replaced at half time, as the score-sheet was still blank.
The final score was 1-1.
The quarter finals saw a 07 February clash between Tunisia
and Senegal. Trabelsi saw the whole game from the bench, as his
knee had caused him pain since the Guinea game. It was a tight
and emotional game, which Tunisia won on a single Mnari
goal.
The hosts never came closer to elimination than in the 11
February semi final against Nigeria, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Trabelsi, who started on the bench, was brought on in the
90th minute to play 30 minutes of extra time, in which no goals
were scored. The Tunisians advanced to the final by converting
five times straight from the penalty spot. Trabelsi did not
take a penalty. Neither did fellow Ajax employee Pius Ikedia
(currently loaned out to RBC Roosendaal), who was brought on
for Nigeria in the 85th minute.
The official celebrations will take place in the capital of
Tunis, after which Hatem Trabelsi wil fly back to Amsterdam. He
is expected at the Amsterdam ArenA on Wednesday. On behalf of
Ajax USA: Hatem, congratulations! (MP)
Source: Ajax.nl
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