All eyes on Japan as Tunisia seek to avoid early World Cup exit

Renard, a two-time Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winning coach, arrived in Mexico this week to take over the troubled Carthage Eagles after their previous head coach Sabri Lamounachi, was fired, following a 5-1 loss to Sweden in the opening FIFA World Cup game. 

Ahead of today’s (tomorrow morning in SA) game against the Japanese national team in Monterrey, Renard says this game is all that matters to him...

"I'm not interested in the past, I only care about this game against Japan. It's very important that we remain concentrated and stick together. If you make a mistake at this level, you are supposed to reverse that immediately."

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This is Renard’s third FIFA men’s World Cup tournament, having coached Morocco in Russia 2018 and Saudi Arabia in Qatar in 2022, where he recorded a historic win over champions Argentina. 

This game is also a special occasion for global football, as FIFA celebrates its 1000th match since the inaugural World Cup in Uruguay 96 years ago. 

They’ve got their work cut out for them against Japan, a team that is hungry for a result after playing a 2-all draw against Holland in the opening game. Renard was also not forthcoming as to how they will line up for this game.

Tunisian football has had its fair share of problems in the last few years, with one of their former football association presidents arrested and remanded in jail for a few years. 

German based midiflder Ellyes Skhiri says there’s a renewed spirit in the dressing room, since the arrival of Renard and a new coach’s bounce could steer the North Africans to an improved result...

"The coach has only been here for three days and it's important for us as a team to remain together and fight for one another as one unit. Our coach has brought a new mentality and energy so it is important for us to follow him."