Ten days before the start of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (from January 13 to February 11, 2024), the Tunisian national team is facing a withdrawal due to a tragic event. Mortadha Ben Ouanes has just left the squad.
The Eagles of Carthage receive unfortunate news during their preparation camp for the 2023 AFCON. The team, led by Jalel Kadri, loses winger Mortadha Ben Ouanes (29 years old, 6 caps). He would have preferred an injury excuse, but the Kasimpasa forward, set to make his debut in the AFCON after a six-month absence from the national team (absent since last June), was compelled to urgently join his seriously ill daughter. This was shared on Wednesday in an emotional message on his Instagram Story.
Mortadha Ben Ouanes to attend to his sick daughter
“It is a great honor to be selected to represent the national team in various competitions, but unfortunately, due to family reasons, I had to leave the country urgently and return to Turkey because of the emergency hospitalization of my two-year-old daughter. After contracting an ear infection, she was transported to a clinic in Istanbul, where a germ spread to the neurons, causing brain inflammation and meningitis,” reveals Mortadha Ben Ouanes.
“With deep regret, I will not be able to join my teammates to be with my wife in this tragedy. I have informed the national coach Jalel Kadri of my situation. I want to express my gratitude to the Tunisian Federation and the technical staff of the national team for the honor of the invitation. I hope that with the support of the fans, they will accept my apologies, while praying to Almighty God for the success of the team in the AFCON and the recovery of my daughter,” reads his message.
A few hours later, the Tunisian Football Federation (FTF) issued a statement on its X account (formerly Twitter) to express support for the former player of Étoile Sportive du Sahel. “National coach Jalel Kadri has decided to release player Mortadha Ben Ouanes from participating in the final phase of the African Cup of Football due to family emergencies, forcing him to stay with his daughter in Turkey. All our thoughts go to player Mortada Bin Ounas and his family,” the statement specified.
Mortadha Ben Ouanes, a key figure in a collective team
Following this last-minute withdrawal of Mortadha Ben Ouanes, the Tunisian coach ultimately decided to call up a new player for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Thus, Zamalek striker Seifeddine Jaziri will join the Tunisian team, becoming the 27th name on the list for the AFCON.
Jalel Kadri’s men will play two international friendly matches, facing Mauritania on Saturday, January 6, and Cape Verde on Wednesday, January 10. These matches will take place at the Hamadi Agrebi Stadium in Rades.
The Tunisian team, placed in Group E of the competition, will face Namibia on Tuesday, January 16, at 5:00 PM GMT, Mali on Saturday, January 20, at 8:00 PM GMT, and South Africa on Wednesday, January 24, at 5:00 PM GMT.
As for Mauritania and Cape Verde, they play in Groups D and B of the AFCON, respectively. Mauritania will meet Algeria, Angola, and Burkina Faso, while Cape Verde will face Ghana, Mozambique, and Egypt. The Eagles of Carthage have shown consistency in recent years, although reaching the heights since their first title in 2004 has been a challenge. With a squad combining experience and youth, they hope to shine in this competition.
Considered as an outsider, Tunisia does not boast major figures of world football in its squad, instead prioritizing the strength of its collective.
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