Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Tunisia axe Sami Trabelsi after Cup of Nations exit
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Tunisia have axed Sami Trabelsi after their Cup of Nations exit

Tunisia's coach, Sami Trabelsi, has been dismissed just a day after the team suffered a defeat against Mali in the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

Despite facing only 10 men for over 90 minutes in a match that extended into extra time, the 2004 champions were unable to secure a victory.

Early in the game, Mali’s Woyo Coulibaly received a red card, giving Tunisia an advantage, but they went ahead late, taking the lead in the 88th minute.

Unfortunately, they conceded a penalty in the sixth minute of stoppage time and ultimately faltered during the ensuing shootout.

The Tunisian Football Federation announced on social media that they had “decided to part ways by mutual consent” with the national team’s coaching staff.

Trabelsi, 57, had returned for a second spell in charge of the Carthage Eagles last February after resigning in 2013, following a disappointing early exit from Afcon. In the recent tournament in Morocco, Tunisia finished second in Group C, starting with a 3-1 victory over Uganda, but later lost 3-2 to Nigeria and drew 1-1 with Tanzania.

Reflecting on their exit against Mali, Trabelsi expressed that it brought “great disappointment and pain,” acknowledging that as coach, he definitely bore the responsibility for the team’s performance.

Brahim Diaz helps Morocco reach AFCON 2025 quarter-finals
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Brahim Diaz helps Morocco reach AFCON 2025 quarter-finals

Morocco reached the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 by defeating Tanzania 1–0 in Rabat on Sunday. Brahim Diaz scored the only goal in the second half.

The match was challenging for the hosts, who controlled the game but struggled to create clear scoring chances against a strong Tanzanian defence.

Morocco, captained by Achraf Hakimi, started strong but struggled to score against a well-defending Tanzania. A goal from Ismail Saibari in the 24th minute was ruled offside by VAR, leaving the first half goalless.

After halftime, Morocco increased their urgency, with key moments like Diaz forcing a corner and El Khannouss shooting over the bar. Tanzania almost took the lead in the 56th minute with a missed opportunity from Feisal Toto.

Morocco finally broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute when Diaz scored from a tight angle, marking his fourth goal of the tournament and leading Morocco to a 1-0 victory. They advance to the quarter-finals, where they’ll face the winner of South Africa vs. Cameroon.

Diaz, named Man of the Match, acknowledged the challenge, while Tanzania’s coach, Miguel Ángel Gamondi, expressed pride in his team’s performance.

Morocco’s head coach, Walid Regragui, praised the second-half effort and noted the injury to key player Azzedine Ounahi, emphasizing the team’s determination to succeed.

Senegal through to AFCON quarter-final after defeating Sudan
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Senegal through to AFCON quarter-finals after defeating Sudan

Senegal staged a remarkable comeback to secure their place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, triumphing over Sudan with a 3-1 victory at the Grande de Tanger stadium on Saturday.

The match got off to a surprising start, with Sudan taking the lead just six minutes into the game. Aamir Abdallah showcased his striking prowess, netting a well-placed shot that caught the Senegalese defence off guard and sent their supporters into a frenzy.

For the first 25 minutes, Sudan appeared firmly in control, showing confidence and creating opportunities that had the Senegalese side on the defensive.

However, the tide began to turn in the 29th minute when Pape Gueye, a midfielder from Villarreal, found the back of the net, levelling the score and shifting the momentum in favour of Senegal.

He struck again just before halftime in the 45th minute, leaving the Sudanese players shaken and struggling to regain their composure.

As the second half unfolded, Senegal continued to assert their dominance, with Ibrahim Mbaye adding a third goal in a decisive moment, solidifying the Senegalese lead and effectively putting the match beyond Sudan’s reach.

In the final stages of the match, despite being three goals up with just five minutes remaining, the Senegalese team remained aggressive and tenacious, fighting for every ball with determination.

This perseverance was epitomised moments later when Pape Gueye was substituted off for Pathe Ciss after preparing to take a corner from the left side.

Tunisia and Mali set for a cracking AFCON knockout contest
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Tunisia and Mali set for a cracking AFCON knockout contest

Brave Mali set to go up against North African opposition Tunisia in the round of 16 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, taking place at Mohamed V Stadium in Casablanca on Saturday.

Mali advanced to the knockout phase by finishing second in Group A, securing two draws against Zambia and Morocco, and a goalless draw against Comoros. Despite being unbeaten, they didn’t achieve any victories in the group.

In their last six competitive matches, Mali has shown tough composure, with two wins and four draws. Historically, they are consistent AFCON performers, frequently reaching the knockout stages, though they have yet to win the tournament.

Tunisia reached the round of 16 by finishing second in Group C, starting with a 3-1 victory over Uganda, followed by a loss to Nigeria and a draw with Tanzania. Their group stage performance highlighted both attacking potential and defensive vulnerabilities.

Tunisia’s depth of experience in the Africa Cup of Nations, including their previous title in 2004, gives them an advantage as they approach the knockout stage of football.

Both teams have faced each other 13 times since 1994, with Tunisia winning six matches, Mali four, and three ending in draws. Recent meetings have been closely contested.

Mali’s head coach, Tom Saintfiet, made four changes to the lineup that drew with Morocco. However, they will be without key midfielder Amadou Haidara, who is suspended following a red card in their last match. There is positive news regarding injuries, as Sikou Niakate is back in training.

Tunisia’s head coach, Sami Trabelsi, has a nearly full-strength squad, with no suspensions reported. The main concern is Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, who suffered a knee injury, but initial assessments suggest it is not serious. Additionally, Elias Achouri is expected to return to full fitness soon after a minor injury.

Mali’s possible starting lineup:

Diarra; W. Coulibaly, Diaby, O. Camara, Gassama; Dieng, Doumbia, L. Coulibaly, Sangare, Bissouma; Sinayoko

Tunisia’s possible starting lineup:

Dahmen; Abdi, Talbi, Bronn, Valery; Skhiri, Gharbi, Mejbri; Achouri, Tounekti, Mastouri

AFCON 2025 Round of 16 fixtures – Saturday, 3 January 2026 
  • Mali vs Tunisia 20h00 local time / 19h00 GMT
    Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca
Senegal and Sudan last-16 Cup of Nations 2025 preview
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Senegal and Sudan Last-16 Cup of Nations 2025 preview

Senegal aims to overcome the disappointment of being eliminated in the round of 16 of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations when they face Sudan at Grande de Tanger on Saturday.

The Terenga Lions performed admirably in the group stage, achieving a 3-0 victory over Botswana, a 1-1 draw with DR Congo, and a decisive win against Benin, concluding the group with seven points. They topped Group D thanks to their superior goal difference compared to DR Congo.

While Senegal’s strong performance in the first round has resulted in a more favourable matchup against Sudan, they are mindful of the potential challenges posed by their opponents.

In the previous edition of the tournament, Senegal was unexpectedly eliminated by the eventual champions, the Ivory Coast, at a similar stage.

Confidence is high for Senegal as they prepare to advance past Sudan, particularly given their status as one of the continent’s most in-form teams, with three victories in their last four matches (one draw). They have excelled offensively, scoring seven goals while conceding just one.

Sudan, on the other hand, has emerged as one of the surprise teams of this round, reaching the last 16 despite winning only one of their three group matches.

Their campaign began with a 3-0 defeat to Algeria, followed by a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Equatorial Guinea. They faced a setback in their final group match against Burkina Faso, losing 2-0. Nonetheless, their single win was sufficient to secure their place as one of the best third-placed teams.

Saturday’s match against Senegal presents a significant challenge for Sudan, particularly given their recent performance of just two wins in their last 15 matches.

In terms of head-to-head statistics, Senegal has historically dominated encounters with Sudan, winning all of their last seven meetings, which included four draws. Over these contests, Senegal has scored eight goals while Sudan has managed only one.

A key player to watch for Senegal is Nicolas Jackson, who made a noteworthy entrance into the tournament by scoring twice in their opening match. While he has not added to his goal tally since, the expectation is that he will seek to enhance his performance against a less competitive opponent on Saturday.

In terms of team composition, Senegal will be without captain Kalidou Koulibaly, who was sent off in their last match against Benin. Diao will also be unavailable due to a thigh injury, and Ilay Camara is sidelined with a muscle injury.

For Senegal, the probable lineup includes: Elneel, Awad, Saeed Ahmed, Karshom, Khamis, Taifour, Alhassan Omer, Nooh, Eisa, and Abdelrahman.

Sudan’s anticipated lineup features: Mendy, Jakobs, Niakhate, Seck, Diatta, P. Gueye, I. Gueye, Ndiaye, Mane, Sarr, and Jackson.

AFCON 2025 Round of 16 fixtures
Saturday, 3 January 2026 – Senegal vs Sudan, 17:00 –Grand Stade de Tangier