AFCON: Trabelsi departs as Tunisia crash out of AFCON 2025

Tunisia have parted ways with head coach Sami Trabelsi following the Carthage Eagles’ early elimination from the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, bringing an end to a campaign marked by inconsistency and mounting frustration, Sport360NG reports.

The Tunisian Football Federation (FTF) confirmed the decision on Sunday, less than a day after Tunisia were knocked out by Mali in the Round of 16. The knockout tie finished 1–1 after extra time, with Mali eventually prevailing in a tense penalty shootout.

In a brief statement, the federation said the decision was reached by mutual agreement with Trabelsi and his technical crew, pointing to the team’s failure to advance further in the competition.

“The Executive Committee has decided to terminate the contractual relationship by mutual consent with the entire technical staff of the national team,” the FTF said in a statement published on the CAF website.

Tunisia arrived at the tournament with hopes of making a strong impression, and those expectations initially appeared justified. The Carthage Eagles began their campaign with a convincing 3–1 victory over Uganda, a result that briefly fuelled optimism of a deep run.

However, performances soon dipped. A 3–2 loss to Nigeria highlighted defensive vulnerabilities, while a sluggish 1–1 draw with Tanzania in their final group match raised concerns about the team’s cohesion and mental strength.

Those issues resurfaced decisively in the knockout stage. Tunisia went ahead against Mali and seemed well placed to control the contest, particularly after their opponents were reduced to 10 men early on. Yet they were unable to press home their advantage, allowing Mali back into the game before ultimately succumbing on penalties.

The Round of 16 exit proved the final blow for Trabelsi, whose side struggled to impose themselves consistently across the tournament.

Tunisia’s latest setback underscores the challenges facing a nation still seeking to recapture past continental glory. Since lifting the Africa Cup of Nations trophy on home soil in 2004, the Carthage Eagles have failed to establish themselves among the continent’s dominant forces. Attention now turns to the federation’s next steps, with a new coaching appointment set to play a crucial role in shaping the team’s future direction.