Tunisia: Alaeddine Yahia Withdraws from AFCON 2015 to Focus on Club Duties
In a surprise announcement that has shaken Tunisian football, Alaeddine Yahia has decided to withdraw from the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The veteran defender, who plays for Stade Malherbe de Caen in France’s Ligue 1, is not suffering from any injury but has opted to prioritize his club commitments over national duty.
The news was confirmed on Monday, December 15, 2014, by Tunisia’s head coach Georges Leekens, who revealed during a press conference that Yahia personally contacted him to explain his decision.
“Alaeddine Yahia called me and told me that he would prefer to stay with Caen to help the club fight against relegation. I respect his choice,” said Leekens.
Caen currently sit bottom of Ligue 1, and Yahia, a seasoned center-back, is viewed as a key figure in their battle to avoid the drop.
🇹🇳 Tunisia’s AFCON 2015 Outlook
The Carthage Eagles have been drawn into Group B alongside:
Zambia
Democratic Republic of Congo
Cape Verde
While Yahia’s experience will surely be missed, Tunisia still possesses a solid defensive core and will hope to progress deep into the tournament.
🗣 Reaction:
Many fans have expressed mixed reactions — some commend Yahia’s professionalism and loyalty to his club, while others lament the loss of an experienced figure in Tunisia’s backline ahead of such a major tournament.
With preparations underway, Leekens will now need to restructure his defensive setup before Tunisia’s opening match in Equatorial Guinea.
