Hannibal Mejbri appears set for an early return to Birmingham City with Tunisia’s hopes of making the World Cup last-16 hanging by a thread.
Tunisia earned plaudits for holding Denmark to a draw in their first World Cup match, but they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Australia on Saturday morning in a match they needed to win. Mitchell Duke netted Australia’s winner in the 23rd minute.
Hannibal and his compatriots are now relying on a huge turnaround on the final day of Group D. They will need to defeat reigning champions France and hope that results elsewhere go their way.
READ: Hot-shot Scott Hogan makes 'first time since I have come here' admission
READ: Gary Neville gives Jude Bellingham instruction after Birmingham City reveal
READ: Troy Deeney sets 'Mbappe bracket' transfer fee for World Cup superstar Jude Bellingham
The likelihood is that Hannibal will return to Blues late next week and begin preparing for the fixture with Blackpool on December 10. Tunisia face France in their final group match on Wednesday, November 30.
Hannibal was an unused substitute against Australia, but he did almost spark a touchline brawl midway through the first half. Aussie goalscorer Duke had gone down under a challenge by a Tunisian player.
Hannibal retrieved the ball and threw it back at Duke, with it striking the 31-year-old in the face. Several Australian players ran towards Hannibal to confront the substitute, with his Tunisia teammates also getting involved to protect their young team-mate.
Referee Rafael Foltyn intervened in the incident, moving the Australia players away from the scene. He then gave Hannibal a lengthy lecture before telling him to go back to the substitutes’ bench.
READ NEXT
