Tunisia are favourites to make a winning start to their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations campaign as they face Angola in a Group E clash at New Suez Stadium on Monday. 

The Tunisians, breezed past Niger, Egypt and Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland) to book a spot in the competition.  The Eagles of Carthage, under the guidance of Alain Giresse, will want a repeat of AFCON 2004, where they won the trophy.

Angola, on the other hand, are back from a seven-year break and would be great opponents as they trampled over Burkina Faso and finished top of their group on the road to Egypt. History, however, frowns on The Stable Antelopes as they have made it past the group stage twice – 2008 and 2010 when they hosted – in seven attempts. 

What is kick-off time?

The match will start at exactly 17:00GMT

The two teams recent form:

Tunisia: The Carthage Eagles are in fantastic form as they have won three of their four pre-tournament friendlies (2-1 v Burundi, 1-2 v Croatia, 2-0 v Iraq and lost 1-0 v Algeria).

Angola: The Stable Antelopes were victorious in their game against Guinea Bissau and Botswana prior to the tournament.

Team News: Who is available, injured or suspended?

There are no injury or suspension concerns in the Tunisian camp and players like Naim Sliti and Firas Chaouat are expected to feature.

Head Coach of Tunisia, Alain Giresse, in a press conference on Sunday said that the most important thing to him is to claim all three points in that game.

But Angola head coach, Srdjan Vasiljevic, is confident his side will cause an upset. 

“We surprised everyone by qualifying after seven years, our next surprise is what our players will deliver on the pitch. We’ll do everything to qualify for the next round”

Angolan stars, Gelson and Wilson Eduardo are likely to make an appearance.

There is no report of injury or suspension in the Angola camp either.

Head to Head record

In the six times, the two sides have faced each other, Angola has failed to beat the North African side, with Tunisia winning three and drawing three.

Potential starting XIs

Tunisia: Moez Hassen, Rami Bedoui, Dylan Bronn, Yassine Meriah, Oussama Haddadi, Wajdi Kechrida, Ghaylene Chaalali, Youssef Msakni, Ellyes Skhiri, Anice Badri, Wahbi Khazri

Angola: Landu Mavanga, Jonathan Buatu, Bartolomeu Jacinto Bastos, Manuel Troco Paizo, Geraldo, Isaac Correia, Herenilson Caifalo do Carmo, Gelson, Manuel Luis da Silva Chow, Alfredo Kulembe Ribeiro, Djalma Campos

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