Tunisia head coach Sami Trabelsi admitted deep disappointment after seeing his side exit AFCON 2025 on penalties to Mali, but refused to blame his players for the 3–2 shoot-out defeat in Casablanca.
The Carthage Eagles had led 1–0 late on before conceding a stoppage-time penalty and eventually bowing out from the spot.
“It was a difficult match. Tunisia were in control, but unfortunately after scoring, something incomprehensible happened and we made a mistake,” Trabelsi said, acknowledging how Firat Chaouat’s 88th-minute header should have been the winner.
A handball by Yassine Meriah allowed Lassine Sinayoko to equalise from the spot in the 90+6th minute, forcing extra time and, ultimately, penalties.
“Of course, there is great disappointment and pain after Tunisia’s elimination from the competition. A defeat remains a defeat, even if it comes via penalties,” he added, noting that Mali had played with ten men from late in the first half after Wayo Coulibaly’s red card.
Trabelsi insisted he alone must answer for the loss: “The responsibility for the loss lies with the coach, that is certain. The players gave everything they had in a match we largely controlled, and we cannot blame them.”
