The former France handler added, however, that he thought they might be able to shake it off and show their abilities when they take to the pitch against the Saudis in Munich.

"With two days to go to the match, the squad is tense," said Lemerre, who guided Tunisia to the 2004 African Nations Cup title.

"The pressure is mounting and one could be forgiven for thinking that everybody is paralysed.

"But once the whistle goes, that fear will disappear and then we must show what we are made of," added Lemerre, who is bidding to take Tunisia beyond the first round for the first time in their history.

Lemerre, who has been handed the confidence booster of a new two year contract, revealed he had no idea when his star striker Santos might be fit as the 27-year-old Brazilian-born marksman injured a knee in a friendly last week.

"We still do not know when Santos will be able to play," said Lemerre, who himself is bidding to move into the second round for the first time after the catastrophic first round exit of then champions France in 2002.

"We are still hoping that he will be 100 percent soon."

As a precaution Lemerre brought in striker Haykel Guemamdia when defender Mehdi Meriah was ruled out of the tournament.

"In defence we already have a lot of alternatives," said Lemerre, who turns 65 on June 18.

Aside from the Saudi clash, Tunisia play Spain in Stuttgart on June 19 and round off their first round campaign against Ukraine in Berlin on June 23.