North African giants Tunisia can never be bigger than Africa
Feb 06, 2015
If you asked me the most indisciplined team at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea, I would without hesitation tell you —Tunisia.
By Rogers Mulindwa
If you asked me the most indisciplined team at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea, I would without hesitation tell you —Tunisia.
Throughout all their group stage matches, the team staged unnecessary protests before, during and after games played. They abused tournament organisers, protested results, insulted referees and on many occasions their technical bench disobeyed the instructions of the fourth officials.
At one time over six people including players and officials were seen sounding instructions to the players on pitch —an act that contradicted the match rules.
And as much as the accommodation for some teams in this tournament did not meet the normal standards given the last minute withdrawal of Morocco, the Tunisian delegation could not understand the circumstances under which Equatorial Guinea came in to rescue the continental football body. They kept demanding so much including a five-star hotel for their accommodation.
For almost two days after their arrival, the North African team kept the organisers in Ebibyin city on pressure to address all their demands, some of which were beyond the circumstances.
Other teams in group ‘B’ that included Zambia, Cape Verde and DR Congo were all praises to the hosts for assembling such facilities within less than 60 days.
It was inhuman for Tunisia to assume that Equatorial Guinea would have had the same quality of facilities as South Africa, Angola, Egypt or Cameroon that have hosted the same events before.
Composed of mainly home based players, the Eagles of Cathage will need a lot to be done in improving their discipline and respect for others.
Currently, they place themselves atop of everybody including CAF. As part of continued indiscipline, the federation president Wadie Jary has already threatened to defy the Caf directive of paying a $50,000 fi ne (sh141m) for the unbecoming behaviour during their quarter final fixture against Equatorial Guinea.
Speaking just before the Tunis delegation left Malabo on Monday, Walie said “I cannot accept to be cheated again, no money for CAF…. let them go ahead and ban us…”
These words coming from a member of the organising committee is already a sign of unbecoming behaviour. As much as referee Seechum Rajindrapasard mismanaged their game, the Tunisians did not have to misbehave and damage the stadium facilities.
Tunisia was by midnight last night further expected to write an apology to CAF, a directive Walie described as ‘impossible’. We shall all wait to watch the next steps CAF will take against these errant officials.
Can Tunisia really be bigger than Africa?
(The columnist is a CAF Media officer currently in Equatorial Guinea)
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