The Tunisian Football Federation has officially ended its relationship with head coach Sami Trabelsi just hours after the Carthage Eagles suffered a heartbreaking elimination from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Tunisia crashed out in the Round of 16 following a dramatic 1-1 draw with Mali after extra time, which Mali won 3-2 on penalties despite playing with ten men for most of the match.
The encounter in Casablanca saw Mali reduced to ten players early on after Woyo Coulibaly’s red card, yet Tunisia struggled to capitalize fully.
They took the lead late through Firas Chaouat in the 88th minute, only to concede a stoppage-time penalty converted by Lassine Sinayoko, forcing extra time and eventually penalties where Mali’s goalkeeper Djigui Diarra proved decisive with key saves.
Although the federation described the parting as a mutual consent termination of the contract with Trabelsi and his entire technical staff, reports from multiple sources suggest the decision was abrupt and amid significant fan frustration.
Unconfirmed claims circulating in media and social discussions allege that Trabelsi faced severe immediate repercussions, including being denied access to the team bus and dressing room post-match, fueling intense controversy and debate within African football communities about the handling of the situation.
Trabelsi, aged 57, had returned for his second stint in February 2025 and successfully guided Tunisia to qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
However, the team’s inconsistent group stage performances—highlighted by a win over Uganda but a loss to Nigeria and draw with Tanzania—combined with the failure to advance further in the tournament hosted in Morocco, proved fatal to his tenure.
This exit marks another disappointing early departure for the 2004 AFCON champions, who have now failed to reach the quarterfinals in six of their last eight appearances.