Tunisia Sack Coach Sami Trabelsi After AFCON 2025 Exit

Tunisia have parted ways with head coach Sami Trabelsi following the Carthage Eagles’ early exit from the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, ending a campaign marked by disappointment and growing public frustration.

The Tunisian Football Federation (FTF) confirmed the decision on Sunday, less than 24 hours after Tunisia were eliminated by Mali in the Round of 16. The match ended 1–1 after extra time, with Mali prevailing in a dramatic penalty shootout.

In a statement, the federation said the decision was made by mutual consent with Trabelsi and his technical staff, citing the team’s failure to advance further in the tournament. “The Executive Committee has decided to terminate the contractual relationship by mutual consent with the entire technical staff of the national team,” the CAF website reported.

The move comes amid rising dissatisfaction from fans and pundits, who had anticipated a strong showing from Tunisia in Morocco. The Carthage Eagles began the tournament brightly with a 3–1 victory over Uganda, raising hopes of a deep run. However, a 3–2 defeat to Nigeria exposed defensive vulnerabilities, while a 1–1 draw against Tanzania in their final group match raised further questions about the team’s balance and consistency.

These issues were magnified in the knockout phase. Against Mali, Tunisia initially took the lead and appeared in control, especially after Mali were reduced to ten men early in the match. Yet they failed to capitalize on the advantage, allowing Mali to level and eventually win on penalties.

Trabelsi’s dismissal underscores the federation’s frustration with the team’s inability to deliver sustained success. Tunisia’s Round of 16 exit continues a challenging era for a nation that once dominated African football, having lifted the AFCON trophy at home in 2004. With the coach’s departure, the FTF now faces pressing questions about the team’s future direction and who will oversee its next rebuilding phase.

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