Nabil’s hopefuls enter huge cauldron of fire

TUNISIA enter the 2018 World Cup in Russia without the star quality of the other African contingent‚ but as the top-ranked side on the continent after a good run of success in the last 12 months.

Coach Nabil Maâloul faces a daunting pool stage and must do without key players through injury as the North Africans face an uphill battle to reach the second round for the first time in their history.

Tunisia will be appearing in their fifth finals after debuting in Argentina in 1978‚ before successive qualifications for 1998‚ 2002 and 2006.

Their only victory in 12 matches came 40 years ago when they stunned Mexico 3-1 and then held a powerful West Germany 0-0‚ but still failed to make the knockout stages after a 1-0 loss to Poland.

Since then they have drawn one and lost two of their pool matches in the last three finals where they have appeared‚ and looking at their group for 2018‚ it could be a similar result again.

Tunisia meet a young but exciting England in their pool opener on Monday‚ before another difficult fixture against Belgium on June 23.

They close their group campaign against Panama on June 28.

Certainly‚ the English and the Belgians will be heavy favourites to advance to the knockout stages‚ with Panama the weakest team in the pool.

Tunisia have shown good form in the buildup to Russia‚ despite their narrow 1-0 loss to Spain last time out. This year they have beaten World Cup-bound Costa Rica and Carlos Queiroz’s Iran‚ both by 1-0 scorelines‚ before coming from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Portugal.