Eriksen: Hannibal must savour the moment

Hannibal Mejbri of Tunisia warms up during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Afcon Finals Tunisia training session at Centennary Stadium in Limbe, Cameroon on 15 January 2022 ©Fareed Kotb/BackpagePix

by Staff Reporter

Thursday Nov 17, 2022. 16:00

Hannibal is in line to make his World Cup debut against Manchester United team-mate Christian Eriksen when Tunisia and Denmark clash in Al Rayyan on November 22.

The 19-year-old attacking midfielder featured in the 2-0 win over Iran in Doha on Wednesday as the Eagles of Carthage wrapped up their preparations for the global showpiece.

Hannibal has been gaining valuable first-team experience on loan at Birmingham City this season and his impressive performances in the Championship earned him a place in Jalel Kadri’s 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup.

The teenager’s chances of facing the Danes next week received a boost when he started against Team Melli as part of a three-pronged attack, and Eriksen has told him to enjoy the occasion if given the opportunity.

Asked what advice he had for Hannibal, the Red Devils midfielder told his club’s official website: “Yeah, enjoy it. I mean it’s not often there is a World Cup so just being there is special and then, of course, getting all the minutes you can on the pitch.

It’s very different being there compared to when you actually play at a World Cup. So really enjoy the moment.”

Hannibal made his debut for the North Africans in a friendly against DR Congo on 5 June 2021 and has gone on to win 18 caps for Kadri’s side.