SportsMall previews Friday's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Tunisia and Comoros, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Tunisia As they play a healthy seven-point lead in Group A of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers Comoros Friday in the first match of their October doubleheader.
It will be the first meeting between the two countries since September 2022 and the visitors will travel to the State Olympique Hammadi Akrebi in search of their first win of the qualification campaign.
Competition preview
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Tunisia maintained their 100% start to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on September 9.
After falling behind Ali AbdIn the 11th-minute opener, Gambia pulled one back after 180 seconds through Ali Chou, but the Ferencvaros midfielder Mohammed Ali ben Rome to give the visitors all three points in the 75th minute.
It came three days after they opened their qualifying campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Madagascar in Rats. Ferjani Sassi Pariah left empty-handed with a goal in the eighth minute of stoppage time.
Following an embarrassing showing at AFCON 2023 that saw them face group-stage elimination in January, Tunisia kicked their quest for a 17th straight appearance in the tournament on the front foot as they sat four points above Group A on Friday. In second place is the audience.
Faouzi BenzartiThey go into the weekend unbeaten in each of their last five games in all competitions, with one draw and four wins, including a 1-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying on June 5.
The Eagles of Carthage are also on course for a place at the World Cup as they sit at the top of the table with 10 points from a possible 12 in Group H in the qualifiers, two points ahead of second-placed Namibia.
On the other hand, Comoros failed to get up and running when they salvaged a 1-1 draw against Madagascar at the State Olympique Hammadi Agrebi in an AFCON qualifier on September 9.
Finally, in the ninth minute Madagascar got the first blow Charles Andrew But Troyes is a midfielder Yusuf Masangama The visitors were four minutes shy of the half-time break to draw level.
It was the second successive stalemate for Comoros, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Gambia in their Group A opener on 4 September. Moses Pharaoh A 37th-minute opener canceled out M'Changama and forced a share of the spoils.
Les Coelacantes have now gone four games without a win in all competitions, drawing two and losing twice, including a penalty-shootout defeat against Mozambique in the COSAFA Cup third-place playoff on July 7.
Having missed out on a place in Ivory Coast earlier this year, Stefano KucinTheir men will find their feet at the weekend and get up and running in Group A with only their AFCON appearance in mind.
Comoros' only appearance at the continental showpiece came back in 2021, when they finished as one of the best third-placed teams in the group stages before suffering a 2–1 defeat against host nation Cameroon in the round of 16.
Tunisia Africa Cup of Nations Qualification:
Tunisia Format (All Matches):
Comoros Africa Cup of Nations Qualification Form:
Comoros form (all matches):
Group messages
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Tunisia have announced a 28-man squad for the double-header in October with Esperance Tunis Man. Bechir Ben saidFrankfurt Ellis Scry And the Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri Leads the team.
Houshem Ben Ali, Bilel Ait Malek, Cheb Jebali and goalkeeper Sabri Ben Hessen are the four new faces in the Eagles of Carthage camp. They can hand their senior debut to State Olympian Hammadi Akrebi.
Benzardi should stick to Abdi's back four, Mondasar Talbi, Yasin Meria And Rate Buchnipa It started against Gambia in September Ali Yusuf And Hamza Rafia Again two must form an attack.
Comoros have named their 23-man squad for their upcoming qualifiers, with 35-year-old midfielder M'Sangama, who has scored 13 goals in 63 appearances since making his debut in October 2010, being left out of the squad.
Experienced security guard Yoon ZahariDebuted in October 2019, withdrew from Les Colacandes after injury, 21 years old Yakin said the reader Called to fill the vacancy.
Defender of Amiens Remy Vita And the Volcan Club midfielder Naimuddin Azane Both have been given their first call-up to the senior team and will be looking to make their mark against Tunisia.
Tunisia Probable Starting Lineup:
Memmiche; Abdi, Talbi, Meria, Buchnipa; Romethen, Laidoni, Sassi, Owens; Yusuf, Rafia
Comoros Probable Starting Lineup:
Pandora; Abdullah, M'Dahoma, Omari, Bakari; Ahmed, Ludin, Borhane; Said, Maulita, Sulemani
We say: Tunisia 2-0 Comoros
Tunisia will be licking their lips when they take on a struggling Comoros side who have not won any of their last four games in all competitions. While we expect Gus's side to put up a fight, Carthage's Eagles boast the firepower needed to get this one over the line and we're backing them to secure all three points.
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