Africa-Press – Gambia. Home » Sport » “Tunisia, these are my roots”, says Wahbi Khazri January 1, 2022
In an interview with AFP, the Tunisian striker of Saint-Etienne confided before approaching the African Cup of Nations (January 9-February 6) where the Carthage Eagles, used to appear well, hope win the title.
Your club, AS Saint-Etienne, is going through a very difficult season, how are you experiencing the situation?
Wahbi Khazri: It is complicated. I react collectively and with Saint-Etienne we are having a very difficult time (last in Ligue 1, editor’s note). The results do not follow and it is a lot of questioning and doubts. We are committed to getting out of it.
Tunisia often goes a long way at the CAN. What is the ambition this year?
We want to win it. During the last edition we were semi-finalists, beaten by Senegal. I felt we were superior and we deserved to win. It would be good now to qualify for the final but it will not be easy because there are some great teams in Africa, where the level is increasingly high.How do you see the group from Tunisia?
We quite often face Mali and Mauritania. We played Mali in the last CAN, a very good team with many talented players playing in Europe. We faced Mauritania in the World Cup qualifiers. We had been hooked up to her. I don’t know The Gambia at all. At CAN, no game can be taken lightly.
What does the CAN and the selection represent for you, born in Corsica, with an exclusively European career?
It’s a great competition, equivalent to the Euro or the Copa America. In Africa, we are an important country. We can win it and it is close to my heart. When we see the players who participate like Mané, Aubameyang, Salah or Mahrez, top players in Europe, it’s good that they represent Africa as best as possible.
Is playing for Tunisia something strong?
Yes. This is my father’s country, where I used to go on vacation every summer. These are my roots. When I see the fervor in our matches, it’s even more motivating. We are all going through a difficult time with the Covid and, in some African countries, the only happiness we can have is football. If we can put that aside and have a good time in the country, it is even more gratifying. That’s what we play football for, to make people happy.How are you perceived in Tunisia?
Algeria has Ryad Mahrez, Egypt, Mohamed Salah. We, with Tunisia, rely on a workforce of around thirty quality players who give their all. Our strength is the collective. Personally, I think I am well received because every time I play for my country, I always give the maximum. I’m pretty happy with what I’m doing in selection. The end is not very far for me and I try to enjoy every moment.
What memories do you keep of CAN and the 2018 World Cup?
CAN is journeys between unknown cities in Europe. We cross villages where we see that people do not necessarily have much but are very happy to see us. The fervor, the atmosphere, it’s festive. For the World Cup, which an African team has little chance of winning, I remember the hymns that give the thrills and playing in front of a large audience. We faced England and Belgium who finished 3rd and 4th with world-class players. I made a childhood dream come true by scoring in the World Cup. I’m happy with the World Cup that I was able to deliver (two goals). I took great pleasure in disputing it with my country.
Compared to the Covid, are there fears of playing the CAN, postponed from 2021 to 2022 due to the pandemic?
We all have fears because we do not know the disease, hence the importance of getting vaccinated because it can protect the population. If Cameroon receives the CAN, it is because it is ready. I hope there won’t be a Covid problem because if you are infected you can lose ten days in quarantine and miss up to two matches.
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