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 turbulent and disappointing campaign that sparked 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 knockout clash ended 1–1 after extra time, with Mali ultimately prevailing in a tense penalty shootout.
In a brief statement, the FTF said the termination was by mutual agreement with Trabelsi and his technical staff, citing the team’s failure to progress 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 quoted the federation as saying.
Tunisia’s early elimination comes amid growing criticism from fans and pundits, who had anticipated a stronger showing in Morocco. The Carthage Eagles began their campaign positively, opening with a 3–1 win over Uganda, which briefly raised hopes of a deep tournament run.
However, inconsistency soon undermined the team. A 3–2 loss to Nigeria exposed defensive weaknesses, while a 1–1 draw against Tanzania in their final group game raised further doubts about the squad’s balance and resilience.
These concerns became more pronounced in the knockout round. Despite taking the lead against Mali and enjoying a numerical advantage after their opponents were reduced to ten men early in the match, Tunisia failed to capitalize, allowing Mali to equalize and eventually win on penalties.
The Round of 16 exit proved decisive for Trabelsi, highlighting the team’s struggle to impose itself consistently throughout the competition.
Tunisia’s early departure adds to a challenging era for a nation that once dominated African football, having won the AFCON title on home soil in 2004. With Trabelsi’s departure, the federation now faces pressing questions about the future direction of the national team and who will oversee its next rebuilding phase.
