Tunisia's coach Sami Trabelsi walks out of the team's hotel after a 2-1 loss to Mali in the Africa Cup of Nations. (Getty Images)
Tunisia's coach, Sami Trabelsi, has been sacked just one day after the team's last-16 defeat by Mali in the Africa Cup of Nations. The decision was made following Tunisia's surprise 2-1 loss to the Malians in Casablanca on Tuesday, a result that left fans stunned.
Trabelsi, 57, took charge of the Carthage Eagles for a second time in February, after previously resigning in 2013. He had expressed disappointment at his team's performance and had stated that he was to blame for their exit from the tournament.
The North Africans were playing against 10 men for more than 90 minutes of a match that went to extra time in Casablanca. They took the lead in the 88th minute, but conceded a penalty in the sixth minute of added time and lost the shootout.
Trabelsi's departure is a blow to Tunisia, who have qualified for the 2026 World Cup. The team's performance has been inconsistent throughout the tournament, and their loss to Mali was seen as a defining moment in their campaign.
The Tunisian Football Federation announced Trabelsi's dismissal on social media, stating that they had "decided to terminate the contractual relationship by mutual consent" with the national team technical staff.
Tunisia's coach, Sami Trabelsi, has been sacked just one day after the team's last-16 defeat by Mali in the Africa Cup of Nations. The decision was made following Tunisia's surprise 2-1 loss to the Malians in Casablanca on Tuesday, a result that left fans stunned.
Trabelsi, 57, took charge of the Carthage Eagles for a second time in February, after previously resigning in 2013. He had expressed disappointment at his team's performance and had stated that he was to blame for their exit from the tournament.
The North Africans were playing against 10 men for more than 90 minutes of a match that went to extra time in Casablanca. They took the lead in the 88th minute, but conceded a penalty in the sixth minute of added time and lost the shootout.
Trabelsi's departure is a blow to Tunisia, who have qualified for the 2026 World Cup. The team's performance has been inconsistent throughout the tournament, and their loss to Mali was seen as a defining moment in their campaign.
The Tunisian Football Federation announced Trabelsi's dismissal on social media, stating that they had "decided to terminate the contractual relationship by mutual consent" with the national team technical staff.
The sack of Sami Trabelsi after just one loss is a bit harsh imo 
. I mean, losing to Mali wasn't expected, but 10 men for most of the game? 
That's tough luck. You can't pin all the blame on one guy. The team's performance has been inconsistent throughout the tournament, so it's not like they were cruising through with ease either 
. Tunisia still made it to the World Cup, and that's no small feat. Maybe a shake-up is needed, but making him go just one loss seems kinda... sudden 
.
Sami Trabelsi was already under pressure after their loss in Mali and now he's outta there... 
Like, fair or not, the guy can't catch a break, you feel me? 
They were playing against 10 men, fam! 
It's not like Mali was just sitting back waiting for Tunisia to mess up. Trabelsi said he was to blame, which I guess is true... they did kinda coast a bit and then paid the price when that penalty came around. 
But still, one day's notice? That's rough, bro. 
Now it's up to whoever takes his place to turn things around for Tunisia before their World Cup gig. Fingers crossed! 
seriously though sam trabelsi got sacked like 1 day after losing to maly in casablanca who knew their coach was that weak? Tunisia's team has been playing all over the place, inconsistent is an understatement, and now they're gonna miss out on the world cup? 
no thanks.
like what did he even do wrong? was it him or the players not executing his game plan? and now they're gonna have to regroup for world cup... this is a big blow lol.
... maybe the federation should've given him more time to figure things out? 
... can't say i'm surprised tunisia didn't make it past the round of 16 though 
... they had some good moments, but inconsistency has been their biggest issue all tournament 
️. I do think the Tunisian Football Federation made the right call though 
, consistency in tournament games is key and they need someone who can sort that out 
. It's a shame it had to happen now too, with the World Cup on the horizon 
. Anyway, back to this news... So, Tunisia's coach gets sacked just one day after a major loss in Africa Cup of Nations? That's crazy! I mean, I get it, results like that are tough to take, but still... 57 years old, and he's already outta there? Not exactly the most inspiring example for young players who wanna follow in his footsteps. And what's with the Tunisian Football Federation announcing it on social media instead of, like, a proper press conference or something? Just seems so... impersonal 
.
. The federation should've waited till the end of the tournament before making any changes 
. Guess you never know what's gonna happen in football 
.
. Tunisia needs a new coach ASAP or they're gonna get destroyed in 2026 
. And now he's gettin sacked just one day later? Sounds like someone's tryin 2 cover somethin up 
.
. He said he was to blame, which is fair enough, I guess 
. But still, one day from his last-16 exit and he's gone 
. The team needs someone who can stabilize their performances, especially if they wanna make it out of the 2026 World Cup 
.