Embattled Jalel Kadri sounding boastful and confident ahead of Bafana game

The two teams lock horns at Stade Amadou Gon Coulibaly, kicking off at 5pm (7pm SA Time). Tunisia, who are currently bottom of Group E with only one point, are desperate for their first win in the tournament. Kadri says they have studied Hugo Broos’ side and they have a plan for this match.

READ: Grant Kekana - Bafana Bafana highly motivated against a desperate Tunisian side

''People are expecting a lot from us, we need to deliver. We want to win and the opportunities to score, we need to take them, we have one point from two games - we're playing here to succeed, the team wants to give a response. We need to show intensity, like we showed against Mali. South Africa are good physically, they run a lot, we need to present physically and tactically,'' said Kadri. 

The result of Namibia in the opening game, where the Carthage Eagles were shocked by Bafana Bafana’s lowly ranked neighbours remains the talk of the town here in Korhogo, especially the line of questioning from Tunisian journalists. 

But Kadri says they have learned their lesson and will box smartly in this crunch encounter.

The Tunisians who have only scored one goal in two matches appear to have pinned their hopes on Zamalek striker Seiffedine Jaziri as they anticipate that he will deliver in the absence of former veteran Esperance striker Yassine Khenissi after he suffered an injury in the opening game.

''He's a good striker with a lot of experience, he gives us many solutions, like many of our players. We know  this Tunisian team can play well, we had a bit of imbalance in the  defence to attack against Namibia, we are compelled to score yes but we won't be putting all the pressure on our strikers to respond to this pressure,'' added Kadri.

During the match day minus one press conference, Tunisian journalists were wary of the threat posed by Bafana players in the counterattacks, but Kadri says they have a plan, as he also reacts to Bafana’s 4-0 win over Namibia, which appears to have surprised them.

''That's the challenge of football, we need to keep players focused. It was a surprise, we watched the 4-0 loss and yes we struggled against Namibia, we must give a response against South Africa. We were surprised with their win against Namibia who started well and took control thereafter, as was the case when they started well against Mali  and then they took control. We are prepared to play intelligently and play with more intensity. We need to show a reaction, we have experienced players who know how to emerge from this kind of a situation'' he concluded.