Tunisia’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign has ended in disappointment, and with it, the tenure of head coach Sami Trabelsi.
The experienced tactician has stepped down from his role following the Carthage Eagles’ dramatic Round of 16 elimination by Mali, drawing the curtain on a tournament that promised much but delivered very little.
Trabelsi’s resignation was confirmed shortly after Tunisia lost 3–2 on penalties to Mali following a 1–1 draw after extra time a result that summed up Tunisia’s struggles at AFCON 2025.
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The defeat was made even more painful by the fact that Mali played with ten men for over 90 minutes, yet Tunisia still failed to capitalise.
Tunisia part ways with coach Sami Trabelsi
Sami Trabelsi is no stranger to Tunisian football. A former national team captain and dependable defender during his playing days, Trabelsi earned over 70 caps for the Carthage Eagles and featured prominently at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.
After retirement, he transitioned into coaching and first took charge of the national team in 2011, leading Tunisia to the quarter-finals of AFCON 2012 and 2013.
His return to the national team setup was initially welcomed, especially after an impressive World Cup qualifying campaign that saw Tunisia go unbeaten, winning nine matches and drawing one without conceding a single goal.
That defensive solidity, however, disappeared completely at the AFCON finals.
Tunisia’s tournament began with cautious optimism. Drawn into a tricky group, the Eagles struggled to impose themselves, winning just one match in the group stage.
Defensive lapses became a recurring theme, as Tunisia conceded in every group match for the first time since 2017 an alarming statistic for a team traditionally built on disciplined defensive structure for ages.
Despite doing just enough to reach the knockout stage, performances lacked fluency, urgency, and belief. The warning signs were clear long before the Round of 16.
The decisive clash against Mali was tense, scrappy, and emotionally draining.
Tunisia took the lead, only to allow Mali back into the game despite their numerical disadvantage following Coulibaly’s red card. Chances came and went, extra time offered no breakthrough, and penalties ultimately decided the contest.
Mali held their nerve from the spot, while Tunisia faltered, crashing out in heartbreaking fashion. The final whistle was met with stunned silence and, soon after, Trabelsi’s decision to walk away.
With AFCON 2025 now behind them, Tunisia must regroup quickly. Attention turns to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they face a daunting group that includes the Netherlands, Japan, and a yet-to-be-determined European playoff winner.
A new coach will be tasked with rebuilding confidence, fixing defensive issues and restoring Tunisia’s identity on the continental stage. For Sami Trabelsi, the exit marks a painful end after a promising start on his return.