FRANCE 98 – General Media News Template

When Brazilian Jose Clayton arrived in Tunisia five years ago the last thing on his mind was wearing the red and white national team strip. Like any other native of a country that has won the World Cup a record four times and produced in Pele arguably the greatest footballer, he dreamt only of gold and blue.

Time passed and left-sided defender Clayton, 23, became a star in an Etoile du Sahel team that ended the domestic monopoly of Tunis giants Esperance and Club Africain and made a major impact in Africa. With Clayton and coach Manuel dos Santos providing a Brazilian flavour, Etoile won the 1995 African Football Confederation (CAF) Cup, finished runners-up the following year and lift the Cup-winners Cup last December.

This year, the club from the ancient coastal town of Sousse are through to the African Champions League mini-leagues and are second favourites behind holders Raja Casablanca of Morocco for the title. Defender Clayton has played a key role and when he successfully applied for Tunisian citizenship this year, national coach Henri Kasperczak did not hesitate to call him up. He made an impressive debut in the 1-1 home draw with Georgia this month and has been included in a 29-man squad for training and a practice match in Italy.

The clash with Serie A club Vicenza and friendlies against Austria, Chile and Wales offer the Brazilian a golden chance to make the final squad for France.