Tunisia head coach Sami Trabelsi has set his sights on a significant improvement from his team as they prepare to face Mali in the Round of 16 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Carthage Eagles booked their place in the knockout stage, but their group-stage performances have left the coaching staff and supporters demanding more.
Trabelsi openly admitted that Tunisia fell short of expectations during the first round, acknowledging that the team did not reach the desired level of quality.
Reflecting on their showing, he said: “We performed below average in the three matches, we were not of high quality, and we did not perform at a high level, and we will show a better level in the next round.”
Speaking at a press conference, the Tunisian coach also addressed criticism from fans who were unhappy with the team’s displays. He insisted that while the concerns are understandable, progression to the knockout stage remained the primary objective.
“People have the right to be upset about the way we played, but we have qualified. There were some periods in the matches that did not please people, but for us the most important thing is to qualify. I hope our performances improve as the knockout stages progress,” he said.
Looking ahead to the clash with Mali, Trabelsi warned that his side must raise their concentration and intensity against a dangerous opponent. He praised the Malian team for their quality and recent performances, particularly their strong showing against Morocco, and stressed the unforgiving nature of knockout football.
“The Malian team is good, and has good players, and they played a strong match against Morocco. Now we have entered the matches where we must not make mistakes, as this is a match that does not allow for calculations, and we hope that it will be in our favor,” he added.
With little margin for error, Tunisia will be aiming to translate Trabelsi’s words into a more convincing display as they seek a place in the quarter-finals.
The crucial meeting will commence at 19:00 GMT on Saturday, January 4.
