Tunisia's Do-or-Die Moment: Trabelsi pressures a flawless performance against Mali in AFCON 2025
2 January 2026
Do-or-Die Moment for Tunisia: Mali Awaits
Tunisia's head coach Sami Trabelsi warned that the Round of 16 clash with Mali in the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco is a decisive moment for the Carthage Eagles, with no room for error.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca, Trabelsi said the group stage did not fully reflect the team's potential and called for better space utilization and sharper attacking efficiency in the final third.
The Carthage Eagles finished Group C in second place with four points after beating Uganda 3-1, losing to Nigeria 3-2, and drawing with Tanzania 1-1, setting up a knockout duel with Mali.
“Small details often decide big matches,” he said, adding that Tunisia must present its true identity against a well-organized opponent and that winning is the only way to advance.
He acknowledged concerns about the defense, admitting it did not display the same solidity as in World Cup qualifiers, but expressed confidence that the players can fix mistakes and achieve better balance between the lines in the upcoming game.
He praised Morocco's hosting conditions, noting hospitality, quality stadiums, and improved infrastructure, and saying the team feels at home. He also highlighted sport's role in strengthening people-to-people ties.
Trabelsi rejected a binary local-vs-foreign coaching debate, stressing that he does not differentiate and that the rise of local coaches is a natural result of merit, citing last edition's local champion as evidence.
Tunisia aims to defeat Mali and keep advancing; the winner will face the victor of the Senegal-Sudan fixture in the next round.
What to watch: in a contest likely decided by tiny margins, Tunisia must stay compact defensively and finish chances clinically, with discipline and patience guiding them toward the quarterfinals.
Notes of readiness and focus will be paramount, as a single lapse can tilt the balance in this knockout phase.
Sniper punchline 1: If Tunisia's defense were a sniper, the scope would finally find the target tonight.
Sniper punchline 2: In football, timing is everything—tonight's punchline goes in the Mali net, no retakes.
