Tunisia Under-20 manager Adel Sellimi has called on his players to go all out as they prepare to face Nigeria in the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations third/fourth place match in Cairo on Friday afternoon.
The Young Carthage Eagles’ hopes of making it to the final were crushed as they lost 3-0 to Senegal in the semi-finals, making it the second time they conceded three goals in the knockout phase after their 3-3 draw with Congo in the quarter-finals which they won 5-4 on penalties.
Sellimi stated it is important for the players to have the bronze medal in their credentials as they are the future of Tunisian football.
“After the psychological shock against Senegal I asked the players to pull themselves together because the competition is not over,” Sellimi said on the CAF website.
“We can still win a trophy. The bronze medal is important for the CVs of the players, they must be aware of it.
“We can’t demolish everything because we’re not in the final.
“We have qualified for the World Cup. This group of players can be a base for the future of Tunisian football.”
The Eagles of Carthage feature in the third-place playoff for the second successive time ????
Will Tunisia be more fortunate this time? ????@FTF_OFFICIELLE pic.twitter.com/tQdUAHGuGf
— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 (@CAF_Online) March 10, 2023
Tunisia finished fourth at the previous U-20 AFCON in tournament in Mauritania, losing 4-2 on penalties to the Gambia – who will contest Saturday’s final for the first time against neighbours Senegal.
