We're out to win our group, says Tunisia captain Haggui

By Peter Auf der Heyde Jan 28, 2012, 12:06 GMT

Libreville - Tunisia will be going all out to defeat co-hosts Gabon in order to win their group and stay in Libreville at the Africa Cup of Nations, national team captain Karim Haggui told dpa.

The north Africans, who beat Niger 2-1, and Gabon, who won 3-2 against Morocco in a dramatic game late Saturday, became the third and fourth teams to qualify for the knock-out stages of the showpiece of African football.

The two teams clash in their group C match in Franceville, Gabon on Tuesday, and the defender, who plays his club football in the Bundesliga for Hanover, said they were eager to win.

'The third match is very important for us, not only to get through to the next round, but also because we want to stay in Libreville for the next rounds, which the group winner does,' Haggui told dpa.

'If you win the group, you will stay there until the final.'

The winner of the group would not only stay in Gabon's capital but also avoid a potential clash against tournament favorites Ghana, who are expected to win group D.

'It would be good to avoid Ghana, even though the other teams are also strong,' Haggui said.

The 28-year-old does not see Tunisia as one of the favourites to lift the trophy at the end of the January 21-February 12 tournament, which is also being co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea.

'It is better for us to play from match to match and not be one of the favourites. We do not want to be favourites and simply see where we finish at the end of the tournament,' he said.

The team needed a last-gasp goal from Issam Jemaa to overcome a gallant Niger side, and Haggui said he was not surprised their opponents had put up such a strong resistance.

'They are a good side and beat Egypt and South Africa in the qualifiers. But we believed in ourselves and simply kept on playing. I play in Germany, so we never give up,' he said.

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