From the Grand Stade de Marrakech to the Olympic Stadium in Rabat. Ten years after their participation in the colors of Paris FC in the Danone Nations Cup, the unofficial World Cup for 10-12 year olds, the two Parisian Titis Hannibal Mejbri and Ismaël Gharbi distinguished themselves this Tuesday with the Tunisian selection during the third and final match of Group C against Tanzania in the African Cup of Nations, in Morocco.
In difficulty since the start of the competition (1 victory, 1 defeat), the Eagles of Carthage were able to glean the point of a draw (1-1), synonymous with second place in group C, with a clash against Mali in the round of 16 looming, thanks to a penalty transformed by Ismaël Gharbi at the end of the first act.
Gharbi, second youngest Tunisian scorer at CAN
While we were waiting for Ali Abdi or Hannibal Mejbri to carry out the sentence, the latter offered the ball to Gharbi, his teammate but also childhood friend. The left winger did not miss the opportunity to score and make the history of his selection by becoming at 21 the second youngest Tunisian scoring player at the CAN behind Youssef Msakni. With more success, the former PSG player (2016-2024, 12 professional matches) could even have scored a hat-trick. He first hit the left post of the Tanzanian goalkeeper with a beautiful curling shot (15th) before missing the CAN goal with a 45m lob just wide.
Enough, however, to win the man of the match trophy despite the unflattering draw for the Tunisians who left the field to the whistles of their supporters. “It’s normal, the people are demanding, they want us to win in every match. We would have liked to win but the most important thing is assured with qualification, declares the scorer on the microphone of BeIN Sports. Now another tournament begins. A big match awaits us against Mali. On a personal level, it is an honor to be the second youngest Tunisian scoring player at the CAN. »
Before starting this competition in Morocco, Ismaël Gharbi and Hannibal Mejbri undoubtedly recalled the memories of their participation in the Danone Nations Cup in October 2015 in Marrakech. They had played in the competition with Paris FC, one of their training clubs.
“We are winners”
The first played there from 2010 to 2016 before joining PSG. Hannibal, a year older, arrived in 2009 before joining ACBB in 2017, then AS Monaco and Manchester United. Already partners and talented, the two young players then took their team to third place on the podium. They dreamed of a professional future in football. “We had a lot of fun. We had fun. I liked that we were mixed with the other teams, to talk, to exchange pennants,” indicated Ismaël Gharbi in our columns at the time. “Our defeat in the semi-final was painful. We are winners, we would have liked to finish 1st, but 3rd in the world is still good,” said Hannibal Mejbri, then captain of Paris FC.
Ten years later, the two friends accomplished one of their dreams by turning pro. Hannibal is playing this season at Burnley (Premier League) and Ismaël was loaned by Braga to Augsburg (Bundesliga). After playing in the youth categories of the French team (U16 and U17 for Mejbri and U18 for Gharbi) then in Spain only for Gharbi (U18 and U19), the two Titis opted for the Tunisian senior selection. Hannibal Mejbri, who already celebrated his 42nd selection this Tuesday evening, is one of the captains of the Carthage Eagles despite his youth. Arriving this year, Ismaël Gharbi has eleven caps including a successful first start at the CAN this Tuesday.
To do as well as in 2015, Mejbri and Gharbi know the way. They will have to eliminate Mali on Saturday (8 p.m.) in the round of 16 before undoubtedly taming Senegal in the quarter-final. A hell of a challenge.
