TUN - Tunisia without star pair

MONASTIR (FIBA Africa Championship/AfroBasket 2007) - Tunisia coach Adel Tlatli is without two key players as preparations continue for AfroBasket 2007 in Angola next month.

Mohamed Hedidane and Sami Driss suffered foot injuries during a trip to Pennsylvania, and are now out of the reckoning for a disappointed Tlatli.

He told PA Sport: "These two players are important pieces in our game. It is just devastating seeing them unable to help us."

From Wednesday, Tunisia host a three-team international tournament in Monastir during which Tlatli will monitor the progress and form of Samy Ouellani, Zied Jaafar and Walid Manai, who have been called up from the B team as possible replacements.

Two AfroBasket 2007 contenders, Senegal and Morocco, will also attend the tournament.

"Our goal is to reach the quarter-finals in AfroBasket. But first, we want to end top of our group to avoid Senegal, who are favourites to win their group," said 49-year-old Tlatli, who took the reins in 2001.

Tlatli has a number of worries, however, over his side's chances.

He said: "We have no players in the main European leagues. Samy Ouellani has had a little experience at American colleges, but is back in Tunisia.

"Our tallest man stands at 2.04 metres. We are not a tall team.

"Our national league is not strong enough for players' improvement. These are the differences between our squad and Nigeria, Angola or Senegal."

The average age of the Tunisia national team is 24, and average height is 1.96m.

They have been drawn in Group D and will face neighbours Algeria, South Africa and Cameroon.

"We just began watching our opponents' videos," said Tlatli.

"I, personally, only fear Cameroon because I do not have enough information about them.

"South Africa might be unpredictable and Algeria have an issue with their players' age. I have seen them recently and I believe we could do well against them."

Tunisia squad: Majdi Maalaoli, Amine Rezig, Mohamed Hadidane, Nizar Kenioua, Ali Amri, Naim Dhifallah, Marouana Kechrid, Walid Dhouibi, Atef Maoua, Radhouane Slimane, Hamdi Braa, Omar Mouhli, Fouhed Stiti.

Julio Chitunda
FIBA