Tunisia coach Ruud Krol has named a 26-man squad for next week’s 2014 World Cup playoff with Cameroon leaving out two key players.
Midfield duo Youssef Msakni and Oussama Darragi are the notable absentees in the squad named by the Dutchman for his first official game as head coach of the Carthage Eagles. Msakni, who plays for Qatari side Lekhwiya and Darragi of Esperance have featured prominently for the 2004 African champions in the qualifiers. However, reasons for their omission remain sketchy.
Krol, who is combining the Tunisia post with his job at the local side Club Sportif Sfaxien included four players from his team, semi-finalists in this year’s Orange CAF Confederation Cup. They are goalkeeper Rami Jeridi and midfield duo; Maher Hannachi, Ferjani Sassi and striker Fakhreddine Ben Youssef.
Former African champions, Esperance are contributing six players, whilst 11 of squad ply their trade abroad. Meanwhile, experienced defenders Karim Hagui and Aymen Abdennour are both suspended for the first leg clash billed for October 13 in Rades.
The second leg will take place in Yaounde on November 17, with the winner qualifying for the 2014 FIFA Cup in Brazil.
Full squad
Goalkeepers: Moez Ben Cherifia (Esperance), Farouk Ben Mustapha (CA Bizertin), Rami jridi (CS Sfaxien), Aymen Mathlouthi (Étoile du Sahel)
Defenders: Alaeddine Yahia (RC Lens, France), Alaya Brigui (Tunisia Étoile du Sahel), Chamseddine Dhaouadi, Khalil Chemmam, Sameh Derbali (Espérance), Syam Ben Youssef (FC Astra Giurgiu, Romania), Yassin Mikari (Luzern, Switzerland), Mohamed Ali Yacoubi (Club Africain)
Midfielders: Khaled Mouelhi, Hocine Ragued (Esperance), Wahbi Khazri (Bastia, France), Änis Ben-Hatira (Hertha Berlin, Germany), Ferjani Sassi, Maher Hannachi (CS Sfaxien), Ahmed Harrane (CA Bizertin), Yassine Chikhaoui (FC Zürich, Switzerland), Wissem Ben Yahia (Mersin İdmanyurdu, Turkey)
Strikers: Sami Allagui (Hertha Berlin, Germany), fut 14 xbox 360 coins Fakhreddine Ben Youssef (CS Sfaxien), Issam Jemâa (Kuwait SC, Kuwait), Amine Chermiti (FC Zürich, Switzerland), Saber Khelifa (Marseille, France)