Tunisia defender Hatem Trabelsi admitted on Thursday that a fear of failure has driven his team to the African Nations Cup final.
Tunisia had to come from behind to beat Nigeria in the semi-final on Thursday and after the teams were locked at 1-1 at the end of extra-time, the hosts needed a dramatic penalty shoot-out to see them into Saturday's final against Morocco which will be the first ever Maghreb finale to the tournament.
Nigeria were on course for their seventh final when skipper Jay Jay Okocha scored a 67th minute penalty before Tunisian captain Khaled Badra also converted a spot-kick with just eight minutes left.
"We played really well in the first half but when we conceded that penalty we were really afraid as their were only about 20 minutes left to play," said Trabelsi, who plays for Dutch giants Ajax but who claims he has recently been in discussions with English Premiership sides Arsenal and Chelsea.
"We were lucky to get our penalty but it was important that we did because the people of Tunisia expect us to win."
Trabelsi believes his side now have fortune on their side as they attempt to win a first African Nations Cup title by beating their north African rivals, who were crowned champions in 1976.
They are also haunted by the widespread condemnation they received as they flopped in the first round when they last hosted the tournament, in 1994.
"Of course we are going to win. Tunisia expects it. It is our time," he said.
Tunisia lost their two previous finals to Ghana in 1965 and South Africa in
"We beat a very good team in Nigeria to get to the final. They had players like Okocha and Kanu who all play for some of the best teams in Europe.
"But we have prepared well and that has been shown in every match we have played," added Trabelsi who hopes that a match-winning performance on Saturday will earn him a cherished move to the English Premiership.
He claims he has already been in discussions with Arsenal and Chelsea as well as Italian giants Juventus about a possible transfer for next season.
"I want to have it sorted out soon. Three years with Ajax is enough. I want to experience other things."
Tunisian midfielder Mehdi Nafti also believes that preparation has been the key to his team's unbeaten run to the final.
"We didn't want to lose," said Nefti.
"Of course, we had luck on our side but we have worked on penalty shoot-outs because we know these matches come down to the details.
"That's why everyone is so happy."