The Game That Cost Everything
It was supposed to be the night Tunisia asserted their dominance. Instead, it became a tactical nightmare. Despite playing with a one-man advantage for over an hour after Mali’s Wayo Coulibaly saw red in the 27th minute, Tunisia looked "infected with fear."
The drama reached a breaking point in the final minutes:
• 88th Minute: Firas Chaouat heads home what everyone thought was the winner.
• 90+6 Minute: A heartbreaking handball by Yassine Meriah gifts Mali a penalty.
• The Result: After a tense 1-1 draw in extra time, Tunisia crumbled 3-2 in a penalty shootout.
Why the Sacking Happened Now
The FTF’s statement was clinical, citing a "mutual consent" termination of the entire technical staff. However, insiders suggest the federation’s hierarchy viewed the loss as "inexcusable."
Trabelsi, who was in his second stint as manager, had led Tunisia to a historic World Cup 2026 qualification without conceding a single goal. But his "tactical rigidity" during the AFCON tournament—specifically a negative approach against teams like Nigeria and Mali—ultimately cost him his job.
"To watch them play is to experience a world where imagination has been outlawed," noted one sports analyst following the match.
What’s Next for the Carthage Eagles?
With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Tunisia is now a ship without a captain. Having gone through four coaches in just three years, the federation is under immense pressure to find a leader who can break the "AFCON curse" that has seen them fail to reach the quarter-finals in six of their last eight attempts.
The big question remains: Can Tunisia find a manager who can balance their world-class defensive discipline with the attacking flair needed to compete on the global stage?