Morocco and Tunisia are braced for an early showdown as both teams hope to lead the North African challenge at African Cup of Nations in the absence of the region’s dominant force, Egypt.

The teams will get an immediate indicator of which is better off when they meet in their opening match in Group C today, a game that could be a fiery start for the fierce rivals.
After co-host Gabon and Niger open the Gabonese side of the tournament at the Stade de l’Amitie in Libreville, Morocco and

Tunisia face off in a showdown that may define their championships.

The winner is a good bet to top Group C and enjoy an easier run to the semifinals. The loser could be left to scrap for second place in the group and a possible meeting with likely Group D winner Ghana – one of the favourites – in the quarterfinals.
It puts the North African contenders in what’s almost a must-win match straight away.

“We have our first match against Tunisia and it is very important because they are one of the two favourites of the group,” Morocco’s Belgian coach Eric Gerets said.

Morocco goalkeeper Nadir Lamyaghri added: “If we manage to win three points against Tunisia, we then have a 50 percent chance to make it to the quarterfinals.”

Gerets accepted the games against Gabon and Niger will also be testing. Gabon will be boosted by home support, he said, while Niger “will play freely” as the group underdog at its first-ever African Cup.

However, there is no denying the crucial importance of the Morocco vs. Tunisia clash for the teams’ morale.
The Moroccans and Tunisians are both buoyed by an emergence of new talent at the 2012 continental championship, but Morocco has relied on a foreign-based contingent while Tunisia has looked closer to home and Tunis club side Esperance for the core of its squad.

Likewise, Morocco has put faith in Belgian tactician Gerets while Tunisia is guided by former national player-turned coach Sami Trabelsi.

Trabelsi, a squad member at the African Cup of Nations in 1996 when Tunisia lost the final to host South Africa, has not been afraid to announce his team as a surprise contender for the title – even with most predicting an Ivory Coast-Ghana decider. said. “But the final choice (over whether I play) remains with the coach.”