Georges Leekens to Remain Tunisia Coach Through March 2016 Following Post-AFCON Review
Belgian coach Georges Leekens will continue at the helm of the Tunisian national team, following a post-AFCON review conducted by the Tunisian Football Federation (FTF) on Tuesday. The decision comes in the wake of Tunisia’s controversial quarter-final exit at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where they were eliminated 2–1 after extra time by host nation Equatorial Guinea.
Leekens, whose contract runs through March 2016, was retained along with the broader technical staff, including technical director Khemais Labidi Kolsi. During the meeting, both presented a full technical and tactical evaluation of Tunisia’s performance in Equatorial Guinea.
Despite the disappointment of their elimination—overshadowed by a highly disputed penalty decision in added time—the FTF opted for stability and continuity as the national team enters a new competitive cycle.
Looking Ahead: Olympic and World Cup Ambitions
With preparations underway for the 2016 Rio Olympic qualifiers and the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, Leekens and his staff have been entrusted with expanding the squad’s depth and quality. This includes international scouting missions to identify and potentially recruit dual-national players eligible to represent Tunisia.
The federation views this strategy as a means to refresh the squad and address weaknesses highlighted during the AFCON.
Upcoming Press Conference
Leekens is scheduled to address the media on Wednesday, during which he will present his final tournament analysis and outline plans for Tunisia’s upcoming engagements.
A Painful AFCON Exit
Tunisia’s loss to Equatorial Guinea was one of the tournament’s most controversial moments. A late penalty, widely criticized by analysts and fans alike, allowed the hosts to equalize before scoring the winner in extra time. The incident ignited outrage across the Tunisian football community and drew sharp criticism of officiating standards at the tournament.
Confidence in Leekens
Despite the controversy and frustration, the FTF’s reaffirmed support for Leekens reflects confidence in his long-term vision. With Olympic qualification and the road to Russia 2018 ahead, Tunisia is placing its trust in the experienced Belgian coach to guide the Carthage Eagles to greater success.
