Tunisia has parted ways with head coach Sami Trabelsi following the Carthage Eagles’ disappointing exit from the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
The Tunisian Football Federation confirmed the decision on Sunday, less than a day after Tunisia was eliminated by Mali in the Round of 16. The match ended 1–1 after extra time, with Mali prevailing in a penalty shootout.
According to the federation, the decision to end Trabelsi’s tenure was reached by mutual consent with him and his technical team, 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 reported.
Tunisia had started the tournament strongly, opening with a 3–1 victory over Uganda that raised hopes for a deep run. However, inconsistency soon affected the team. A 3–2 defeat to Nigeria exposed defensive vulnerabilities, while a 1–1 draw against Tanzania in the final group match highlighted issues with team balance and cohesion.
These challenges were magnified in the knockout stage against Mali. Tunisia initially took the lead and even had a numerical advantage after Mali was reduced to ten men, but they failed to maintain control, allowing Mali to equalize and eventually win on penalties.
Trabelsi’s departure marks another setback for a nation that once dominated African football, winning the AFCON at home in 2004. The federation now faces the task of rebuilding the team and appointing a new coach to guide Tunisia toward renewed continental success.
