Tunisia are plotting to come out on top against Morocco for a third time in a major international competition when the two sides meet in Monday's maghreb derby at the Africa Cup of Nations. Tunisia came out on top when they defeated their neighbours in the final at the 2004 Nations Cup final on home turf, and again when they denied the Moroccans' a place at the 2006 World Cup by finishing top of their qualifying group.
Tunisia's captain Karim Haggui, speaking at the team hotel in the Gabon capital on Sunday, said: "It's only normal they (Morocco) see this as a chance for revenge, we beat them and won the title in 2004 and then came out on top in qualifying for the 2006 World Cup."
The Hannover 96 defender who was part of then coach Roger Lemerre's 2004 Cup winning side, added: "Tunisia have the advantage because we are the ones who have won at the big championships. This is our chance to continue that tradition.
"Of course winning the title in 2004 was important, but that's history, we have a new generation now, we want to write a new page in our history."
Tunisia coach Sami Trabelsi was anxious not to overstate the importannce of Monday's meeting between two sides fancied to make it into the quarter-finals from a Group C that also includes co-hosts Gabon and first-timers Niger.
"The Morocco game is very important, but it won't be decisive. The games between the two countries are special, they know us, we know them, I hope we get the result we're looking for."
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