Issam Jomaa - Sami Trabelsi, Tunisia
| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
TUNISIA  Mathlouthi Chahed, Haggui, Ifa, Chammam Traoui, Ragued, Saihi Msakni, Ben Hatira Khlifa | PERU  Fernandez Zambrano, Rodriguez, Revoredo Carillo, Vargas, Cruzado Farfan Pizarro, Guerrero |
Given that this was a rare Fifa date, Trabelsi has sought to include as many European-based players as possible since their clubs are obliged to release them for the match. Yassine Chikhaoui and Ammar Jemal were both originally included in the 21-man roster but had to pull out with injuries.
Tunisian fans, who will be present in limited numbers due to security considerations, are most eager to see what Deportivo La Coruna striker Lassad Nouioui can offer. The Marseille native has been in scorching form for his club but has failed to impress in his very few previous efforts with the Carthage Eagles.
Facing the hosts will be a Peruvian team that is in somewhat of a crisis due to a player strike in the country that has left the side practically devoid of any in-form local talent.
The situation has understandably irked Peruvian national team coach Sergio Markarian. "I will face an international match with players who have not played for three months. We are giving [Tunisia] an advantage," lamented the Uruguayan recently.
Such difficulties will force the coach to rely heavily on the 13 European-based elements that he called up for the encounter. Amongst them are stand-outs such as Juan Vargas of Fiorentina and the German contingent of Claudio Pizarro, Paolo Guerrero, and Jefferson Farfan.
Peru are currently second from last in 2014 World Cup qualifying for the South American region and are desperate to recover from successive losses to Chile and Ecuador when they host Colombia in early June.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
- This will be the first ever matchup between Tunisia and Peru.
- Tunisia climbed three spots in the recent Fifa standings and are in 56th place. On the other hand, Peru climbed one and are in 33rd place.
- Carthage Eagles play-maker Oussama Darragi was not called up partly because his club, Esperance, have prevented him from training since it was revealed that he signed a pre-contract with Switzerland’s FC Sion.
- Peru began 2014 World Cup qualifying with an impressive win over Paraguay thanks to a Guerrero double, but have since fallen to two straight losses.
- This summer will be crucial to Peru's chances in 2014 World Cup qualifying as they face Colombia, Uruguay, and then leaders Argentina.
- Veteran Adel Chadli is no longer part of the Tunisia squad after he walked out on the team ahead of the final 2012 Afcon group game against Gabon in protest over a lack of playing time.
Editor's Prediction
Tunisia 1-1 Peru 
