AFCON 2025: Top Coach Sacked After Losing in the Round of 16
- Tunisian manager Sami Trabelsi has been sacked after the Carthage Eagles’ defeat against Mali in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16
- Trabelsi secured a 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket for Tunisia, but his disappointing performance at the AFCON in Morocco led to his sacking
- The news about Trabelsi's sacking by the Tunisian Football Federation sparked different reactions from football fans on social media
The Tunisian Football Federation has announced the sacking of head coach Sami Trabelsi after the Carthage Eagles’ underwhelming performance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
Source: Getty Images
Tunisia missed out on a spot in the quarterfinals for the sixth time in their past eight AFCON campaigns, highlighting ongoing difficulties on Africa’s biggest football stage.
Trabelsi, who had been appointed to revive Tunisia’s competitive edge in Africa, oversaw a tournament that fell well below expectations. Despite fielding a squad loaded with experienced and talented players, the Carthage Eagles exited at the Round of 16, continuing a disappointing pattern that has left fans and federation officials frustrated.
Trabelsi suffered the same fate as Hugo Broos with Bafana Bafana. The Belgian tactician guided South Africa to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but got dumped out of the AFCON in the Round of 16.
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Trabelsi sacked by Tunisia
The decision to relieve Trabelsi of his duties comes amid mounting pressure on the federation to produce tangible results. Tunisia last reached the AFCON finals in 2004, a year they famously claimed the title at home. Since then, their performances have been inconsistent, with early eliminations becoming almost routine.
In 2019, they reached the semi-finals and were unable to get to the finals. They were also defeated in the third-place playoffs by Nigeria.
Interestingly, Trabelsi departs with a notable record in World Cup qualification. Under his guidance, Tunisia secured a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup unbeaten and without conceding a goal—a testament to his tactical discipline and defensive acumen. Yet, his success on the global stage was ultimately eclipsed by disappointing continental results.
Source: Getty Images
Tunisia started the tournament with a win against Uganda, but a defeat to Nigeria in their second group game, Tanzania's drae and their Round of 16 defeat to Mali led to Trabelsi's sack.
Richard Prince said:
"I thought they played well today. If anything, the players should be blamed for missing those chances, not the coach."
Glasner’s Goose Gillet wrote:
"Not really a shock if we’re being honest. When the same thing keeps happening, something has to give. Sad for the coach, but Tunisia need a fresh direction now."
Meshack II shared:
"Emotional decisions are taken by these federations. Let’s hope all those who sacked (or will sack) coaches will be stable going to the WC."
Letsoaloalex commented:
"Good. They failed to beat a limping Mali."
Nwa Aro reacted:
"Somewhat unfair...his team wasn't that bad, qualifying for the World Cup without conceding a goal wasn't a fluke, he just had difficulties adjusting his style at the AFCON, plus some of those Tunisian players weren't just good enough."
Sising Phaahla added:
"I knew this Afcon was there to be used as the tool to fire 90%of local coaches that qualified for the World Cup. Trust me They'll now hire washed-out European men to the WC."
Broos explains why Bafana lost to Cameroon
Briefly News earlier reported that Broos explained why Bafana Bafana lost to Cameroon in their AFCON 2025 Round of 16 clash.
The Belgian tactician failed to get past his former side, as the Indomitable Lions match on to the quarter-finals of the competition.
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Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
