Tunisia AFCON 2025 Preview: Trabelsi returns, and the margin stays thin
Tunisia enters the upcoming AFCON 2023 with the aim of refining their gameplay to transform solid performances into victories. Historically consistent, their challenge has been effective goal scoring in tightly contested matches. With a demanding group stage on the horizon, clarity in strategy and execution becomes crucial. Under the guidance of coach Sami Trabelsi, Tunisia's tactical focus will be on improving transition speeds and attacking efficiency. While second place in the group stage looks achievable, the team needs a strategic overhaul to push beyond a likely Round of 16 exit.
- Tunisia aims to improve goal-scoring efficiency at AFCON 2023.
- Sami Trabelsi returns as head coach to enhance tactical strategy.
- Achieving the quarter-finals hinges on mid and forward line effectiveness.
Tunisia comes to Morocco searching for a sharper edge — the kind that turns solid performances into results when AFCON tightens.
The Carthage Eagles are rarely outclassed, but recent AFCON cycles have exposed a familiar issue: they often struggle to score decisive goals when games become cagey.
A challenging group means Tunisia need clarity early — both in selection and in how they want to control matches.
History at the Africa Cup of Nations
Tunisia’s proudest AFCON moment remains their home triumph in 2004 after twice losing in the final. It is their only continental title to date.
They have been regular qualifiers for decades, and their tournament DNA is built on organisation and discipline rather than chaos. In their last 10 tournaments since their title win in 2004, they have made the quarter-finals seven times.
| Year | Host Country | Finish |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Ethiopia | Third place |
| 1963 | Ghana | Group stage |
| 1965 | Tunisia | Runners-up |
| 1978 | Ghana | Fourth place |
| 1982 | Libya | Group stage |
| 1994 | Tunisia | Group stage |
| 1996 | South Africa | Runners-up |
| 1998 | Burkina Faso | Quarter-finals |
| 2000 | Ghana / Nigeria | Fourth place |
| 2002 | Mali | Group stage |
| 2004 | Tunisia | Champions |
| 2006 | Egypt | Quarter-finals |
| 2008 | Ghana | Quarter-finals |
| 2010 | Angola | Group stage |
| 2012 | Equatorial Guinea / Gabon | Quarter-finals |
| 2013 | South Africa | Group stage |
| 2015 | Equatorial Guinea | Quarter-finals |
| 2017 | Gabon | Quarter-finals |
| 2019 | Egypt | Fourth place |
| 2021 | Cameroon | Quarter-finals |
| 2023 | Ivory Coast | Group stage |
The Road to Morocco: Qualified, but warned
Tunisia navigated Group A to finish second on 10 points, behind a Comoros side that impressed over six matches. Tunisia went down to Comoros 1-0 followed by a 1-1 draw, so there is clearly room for improvement.
The numbers point to a team that was competitive but not dominant — and that places extra emphasis on improving efficiency in the final third ahead of Morocco.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Comoros | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 12 |
| 2 | Tunsia | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 10 |
| 3 | Gambia | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 8 |
| 4 | Madagascar | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 8 | -4 | 2 |
Managerial reset - Sami Trabelsi’s second spell
Sami Trabelsi managed Tunisia from 2011 to 2013 before resigning after his side’s disappointing 2013 campaign. He was recalled as Tunisia manager in 2025 after 10 years with Al Sailya in the Qatari league in a clear signal that Tunisia wanted familiarity and authority after recent turbulence.
Trabelsi’s primary challenge is straightforward: Tunisia already defend well enough to compete — the next step is turning control into chances, and chances into goals.
Squad Analysis - a focus on attack
Tunisia typically rely on tactical order, compact spacing, and set-piece discipline — strengths that travel well in tournament football.
Against Nigeria’s athleticism and Uganda’s intensity, Tunisia will need midfield bite and quicker transitions to avoid being pinned back.
If they can avoid early frustration and stay within touching distance in their three group games then their experience could be enough to carry them through a difficult group.
| Pos | Name | DOB | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Noureddine Farhati | 14 September 2000 (age 25) | 1 | 0 | Tunisien |
| GK | Aymen Dahmen | 28 January 1997 (age 28) | 32 | 0 | CS Sfaxien |
| GK | Bechir Ben Said | 29 November 1994 (age 31) | 21 | 0 | ES Tunis |
| GK | Sabir Ben Hessen | 13 June 1996 (age 29) | 0 | 0 | Étoile du Sahel |
| DF | Ali Abdi | 20 December 1993 (age 31) | 40 | 6 | Nice |
| DF | Montassar Talbi | 26 May 1998 (age 27) | 57 | 3 | Lorient |
| DF | Yassine Meriah | 2 July 1993 (age 32) | 94 | 6 | ES Tunis |
| DF | Dylan Bronn | 19 June 1995 (age 30) | 47 | 2 | Servette |
| DF | Ali Maâloul | 1 January 1990 (age 35) | 93 | 3 | CS Sfaxien |
| DF | Mohamed Ben Ali | 16 February 1995 (age 30) | 3 | 1 | ES Tunis |
| DF | Adem Arous | 17 July 2004 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | Kasimpasa |
| DF | Yan Valery | 22 February 1999 (age 26) | 16 | 0 | Sheffield Wednesday |
| DF | Mortadha Ben Ouanes | 2 July 1994 (age 31) | 15 | 0 | Kasimpasa |
| DF | Nader Ghandri | 18 February 1995 (age 30) | 19 | 0 | Ajgnat Grozny |
| MF | Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane | 6 September 1999 (age 26) | 54 | 7 | Al Ahly |
| MF | Hannibal Mejbri | 21 January 2003 (age 22) | 39 | 1 | Burnley |
| MF | Ismaël Gharbi | 10 April 2004 (age 21) | 8 | 1 | Augsburg |
| MF | Ferjani Sassi | 18 March 1992 (age 33) | 97 | 9 | Al-Gharafa |
| MF | Ellyes Skhiri | 10 May 1995 (age 30) | 74 | 3 | Frankfurt |
| MF | Hadj Mahmoud | 24 April 2000 (age 25) | 2 | 0 | Lugano |
| MF | Houssem Tka | 16 August 2000 (age 25) | 4 | 0 | ES Tunis |
| FW | Elias Achouri | 10 February 1999 (age 26) | 24 | 3 | Copenhagen |
| FW | Elias Saad | 27 December 1999 (age 25) | 9 | 3 | Augsburg |
| FW | Hazem Mastouri | 18 June 1997 (age 28) | 12 | 4 | Dynamo Makhachkala |
| FW | Firas Chaouat | 8 May 1996 (age 29) | 24 | 5 | Club Africain |
| FW | Sebastian Tounekti | 13 July 2002 (age 23) | 4 | 0 | Celtic |
| FW | Naïm Sliti | 27 July 1992 (age 33) | 80 | 11 | Al-Shamal |
| FW | Seifeddine Jaziri | 11 February 1993 (age 32) | 43 | 11 | Zamalek |
Prediction: How will they perform?
Cameroon have been placed in Group F alongside defending champions Ivory Coast, Gabon and Mozambique.
Tunisia are drawn with low-ranked Uganda and Tanzania, as well as the dangerous Nigeria in Group C.
The Optimist View - Second place in the group looks a strong possibility for Tunisia, giving them a great chance of making the quarter-finals if the knockout draw is kind. A lot will rest on the effectiveness of their midfield and forwards to turn possession into goals.
The Realist View - With the quality of sides in the tournament it’s likely that Tunisia will meet their Waterloo in the Round of 16, especially if they are struggling for goals. Their three leading goalscorers (Naïm Sliti, Seifeddine Jaziri and Ferjani Sassi) are all over 32 so, while there is experience, there is a question-mark over their legs and endurance.
Prediction - Round of 16 Exit
Tunisia shouldn’t struggle to claim second spot in the group, but their squad depth and the lack of goals upfront is almost certain to count against them in the knockout stages, unless they can throttle their opposition and sneak a 1-0 win.
Fixtures - Mighty Nigeria are first in line in the group
| Day/Date | Time (CET) | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 23 December | 22:00 | Tunisia vs Uganda | Rabat Olympic Stadium |
| Saturday 27 December | 22:00 | Tunisia vs Nigeria | Fez Stadium |
| Tuesday 30 December | 18:00 | Tunisia vs Tanzania | Rabat Olympic Stadium |
Related
Top Betting Sites
Betting offers
Upcoming Events
28 May 2026
- CDL 2026 Stage 4 Major Qualifiers -
- Esports
06 June 2026
- VALORANT Masters London 2026 -
- Esports
10 June 2026
- Volleyball Nations League 2026 -
- Volleyball
Load More
