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Goalkeepers
1-Ali Boumnijel (Club Africain). Date of birth: 13.4.66. Caps: 47 Goals: 0.
Forty-year-old Ali Boumnijel will be the oldest player in this year's World Cup. He also played in the last two championships in France and Japan. He spent most of his career at clubs in France like "Gueugnon" and "Bastia," but returned to his homeland last year.
22-Hamdi Kasraoui (Esperance). Date of birth: 18.1.83. Caps: 5 Goals: 0.
Olympic team goalkeeper, who is called up to the national team despite only serving as a substitute in the club. He played in one match during the recently held African Cup of Nations.
16-Adel Nefzi (US Monastir). Date of birth: 16.3.74. Caps: 0 Goals: 0.
This selection by coach Roger Lemerre was a surprise. The club where A. Nefzi plays this season finished fifth and earned the opportunity to play in the "Arab Champions" league next season. A. Nefzi has not yet played for the national team.
Defenders
19-Anis Ayari (Samsunspor, Turkey). Date of birth: 16.2.82. Caps: 23 Goals: 1.
One of his best seasons was in 2004 when playing for the national team he won the African Cup of Nations, and with the U-23 national team he went to the Athens Olympics. Primarily a defender, but occasionally plays in a defensive midfield position for his club in Turkey.
3-Karim Hagui (Racing Strasbourg, France). Date of birth: 20.1.84. Caps: 26 Goals: 4.
A strong defender who made his debut in the national team two years ago. He started his career at Sahel's "Etoile" club. After winning the African Cup of Nations with the national team in 2004 and playing in all six matches, he was acquired by Racing Strasbourg.
15-Radhi Jaidi (Bolton Wanderers, England). Date of birth: 30.8.75. Caps: 87 Goals: 5.
He has won almost all possible titles in Africa and eventually started playing in Europe at the age of 29. Recognized by Bolton's coach Sam Allardyce as one of the best header strikers he has ever trained.
18-David Jemmali (Girondins Bordeaux, France). Date of birth: 13.12.74. Caps: 1 Goals: 0.
He was first called up to the national team 10 years ago, but agreed to play only this March when he made his debut in a friendly match against the Serbian team. His father was born in Sousse, while D. Jemmali was born in France.
7-Mehdi Meriah (Etoile Sahel). Date of birth: 5.6.79. Caps: 0 Goals: 0.
Moved to the Tunisian league runners-up in January this year from US Monastir and is a back-up choice for Lemerre at left back, preferred to the Brazilian-born Clayton. Also played for Club Africain at the start of his career.
21-Karim Saidi (Lecce, Italy). Date of birth: 24.3.83. Caps: 14 Goals: 0.
A center-back who left a good impression last season playing in Denmark for "Feyenoord," but failed to establish himself in the starting lineup and moved to Italy, joining the "Lecce" team.
6-Hatem Trabelsi (Ajax Amsterdam, Netherlands). Date of birth: 25.1.77. Caps: 55 Goals: 0.
His attacking runs on the wings are one of Tunisia's offensive engines. His contract with Ajax in Amsterdam expires in June, so there is a good chance he will move to a club in England or Italy.
4-Alaeddine Yahia (St Etienne, France). Date of birth: 26.9.81. Caps: 12 Goals: 0.
A member of the national team in the 2004 African Cup of Nations, but the club did not allow him to participate in the 2006 games. Another national team player born in France. He had a stint in England, but his time at "Southampton" was not successful.
Fullbacks
13-Riadh Bouazizi (Erciyespor, Turkey). Date of birth: 8.4.73. Caps: 83 Goals: 4.
A very experienced fullback who serves as the captain of the national team. He played in two World Cups and participated in the African Cup of Nations six times.
14-Adel Chedli (FC Nuremburg, Germany). Date of birth: 16.9.76. Caps: 36 Goals: 4.
A former member of the French youth team. In 1996, he illegally debuted in the Tunisian national team, but with FIFA changing the rules of international competitions, he was allowed to represent Tunisia. This year, playing in the African Cup of Nations, he created the image of a resilient player.
10-Kaies Ghodhbane (Konyaspor, Turkey). Date of birth: 7.1.76. Caps: 80 Goals: 6.
A veteran who still plays an important role in the team. He played in two World Cups, African Cup of Nations, represented the United Arab Emirates and Turkish clubs.
23-Sofiene Melliti (Gaziantepsor, Turkey). Date of birth: 18.8.78. Caps: 13 Goals: 1.
His appearance in a friendly match against Egypt last November was his first match in the national team since October 2000. He made his debut in the national team at the age of twenty.
12-Joahar Mnari (FC Nuremburg, Germany). Date of birth: 8.11.76. Caps: 35 Goals: 1.
He played in all six matches in 2004 when the Tunisian team won the African Cup of Nations. However, his star began to fade after moving to the German Bundesliga, as his playing minutes on the field decreased significantly, threatening his place in the main Tunisian national team setup. Before moving to Germany, he won the Tunisian league twice with "Esperance" club.
8-Medhi Nafti (Birmingham City, England). Date of birth: 28.11.78. Caps: 27 Goals: 1.
Born in France, the fullback recently recovered from a season-long injury. He missed most of the relegation-doomed season for Birmingham City.
20-Hamed Namouchi (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland). Date of birth: 14.2.84. Caps: 13 Goals: 0.
Another fullback born in France, who was once on the radar of Chelsea, but in 2003 he joined Glasgow Rangers. Made his debut in the national team last year. Strong performances in the last few matches secured a spot in the starting lineup.
Forwards
9-Yassine Chikhaoui (Etoile Sahel). Date of birth: 22.9.86. Caps: 0 Goals: 0.
A young forward taken from the Olympic team in place of the injured Hayeklo Guemmadia. Helped his team secure second place in the highest Tunisian league.
11-Francileudo dos Santos (Toulouse, France). Date of birth: 20.3.79. Caps: 27 Goals: 17.
Offered citizenship for two seasons, from 1998 to 2000, by Sahel's "Etoile" club and this offer was not without reason. The player rewarded with powerful goals. He played for clubs in Brazil, Belgium, and France.
2-Karim Essediri (Rosenborg, Norway). Date of birth: 29.7.79. Caps: 5 Goals: 0.
In 2001, he moved from "Club Africain" to Norway, playing for "Bodo"/"Glimt" and "Tromso," and in January he moved to "Rosenborg" club. In March, he played excellent matches against the teams of Serbia and Montenegro.
5-Ziad Jaziri (Troyes, France). Date of birth: 12.7.78. Caps: 59 Goals: 13.
Scored the winning goal for the national team in the 2004 African Cup of Nations final. Played in all three matches in the last World Cup, but will have to fight for a place in the starting lineup this year.
17-Issam Jomaa (Racing Lens, France). Date of birth: 28.1.84. Caps: 10 Goals: 1.
A left-footed forward who impressed with "Esperance" club last season and therefore moved to France in August. He made his debut in the World Cup match against the team of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
