Tunisia have dismissed head coach Sami Trabelsi following the Carthage Eagles’ early exit from the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, bringing an end to a turbulent 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 knockout clash ended 1–1 after extra time, with Mali ultimately prevailing in a dramatic penalty shootout.
In a statement, the federation said the decision was made 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 FTF as saying.
The move comes amid rising criticism from fans and pundits, who had expected Tunisia to mount a serious challenge in Morocco.
The Carthage Eagles had begun their campaign positively, opening with a 3–1 win over Uganda that briefly reignited hopes of a deep tournament run. However, inconsistency quickly emerged.
A 3–2 defeat to Nigeria exposed defensive weaknesses, while a 1–1 draw against Tanzania in their final group match raised further questions about the team’s balance and resilience.
Those concerns came sharply into focus during the Round of 16. Tunisia took the lead against Mali and appeared to hold the upper hand after their opponents were reduced to ten men early in the match. Yet they failed to capitalize on the advantage, allowing Mali to equalize and ultimately win on penalties.
The early elimination proved decisive for Trabelsi, whose side struggled to consistently impose themselves throughout the competition.
Tunisia’s exit at the Round of 16 marks another sobering chapter for a nation that once dominated African football, having lifted the AFCON trophy on home soil in 2004. More than two decades later, the federation now faces renewed questions over the direction of the national team and who will be tasked with leading its next rebuild.
