Tunisia Football Federation Confirms Friendly Match With Algeria In Italy

A friendly match between Algeria national squad and its Tunisian counterpart is scheduled in Florence, in Italy, on 9 or 10 August, Head of the Tunisian Football Federation, Anouar Haddad said on Saturday.

“We have agreed with our friends in Algeria to schedule a friendly on either 9 or 10 of next August, in Italy, likely in the city of Florence,” Mr Haddad has told Algeria International Radio. 

“We’ve chosen Europe to host this game, because the majority of the two squads’ players are based there; and it would be easier for them to reach Italy,” he explained.

The official added that “such a friendly is very important for our team, given that it would be a preparatory phase before the crucial game against Malawi, in the qualifiers to the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN 2012).

As for the heavy defeat of Algeria against Morocco, Mr Haddad said he was astonished. “4-0 surprised me, really. I’ve not recognized the Algerian squad that I know. Yet, such a loss would never diminish the value of the Desert Foxes,” he stressed. 

Algeria squad is likely to be managed in that friendly by a foreign coach, after the resign of coach Abdelhak Benchikha, as result of the loss against Morocco. 

To recall, the Greens will play another friendly next November, against an opponent yet to be chosen.