Carthage Eagles Technical Director, Essid: ‘Super Eagles’ Slow Game Suits Tunisia Perfectly’
Tunisia’s emphatic opening victory at AFCON 2025 has not only lifted spirits but also sharpened focus on their next challenge, a top-of-the-table clash with Nigeria.
Former CAB player and current technical director Hichem Essid believes the Carthage Eagles are well positioned to exploit what he describes as the Super Eagles’ ‘slow game.’
‘We have already started to prepare for the next match against Nigeria, an opponent whose slow game suits our players perfectly. Against the Nigerians, we will play to win first place,’ Essid remarked after Tunisia’s 3-0 triumph over Uganda in Rabat.
Essid praised Tunisia’s midfield trio of Ellyes Skhiri, Ferjani Sassi, and Hannibal Mejbri, whose pressing and fluid transitions overwhelmed Uganda.
‘The complementarity between the midfielders was excellent. The automatisms were well developed, and by pressing high, Tunisia stifled all the offensive desires of the opponent,’ he explained.
Tunisia struck early in the ninth minute, doubled their lead before halftime, and sealed victory with a third goal after the break.
Essid noted that the coaching staff had already begun tailoring preparations for Nigeria, confident that Tunisia’s quicker tempo and midfield control could unsettle the Super Eagles.
