Buoyed by its inaugural success against Uganda, the Tunisian selection is approaching its second CAN 2025 meeting with ambition and lucidity. Facing Nigeria, major opponent of Group C, Sami Trabelsi wants to capitalize on the current dynamic to quickly validate the ticket for the second round. Discipline, concentration and continuity are established as guiding principles.
The victory acquired against Uganda (3-1) on the first day put Tunisia in a favorable position within Group C. Leading thanks to a better goal difference than Nigeria, winner of Tanzania, the Carthage Eagles now have a clear opportunity: to achieve a second success and ensure, before long, their qualification for the round of 16.
Present at a press conference in Fez on the eve of the clash against the Super Eagles, national coach Sami Trabelsi underlined the importance of this sequence. âPlaying the second match after a victory is always extra motivation. This strengthens the confidence of the group,â he explained, while recalling the caliber of the Nigerian opponent, considered one of the heavyweights of the continent.
Continuity and rigor in the face of a benchmark adversary
For the Tunisian technician, the confrontation against Nigeria must be approached without calculations or extrapolations. Tunisia’s qualification for the next World Cup, unlike its opponent of the day, does not, according to him, constitute either an advantage or a determining factor. âWe donât think in hypotheses. Each match is prepared with the same seriousness and the same concentration,â he insisted.
The stated objective is clear: remain disciplined, maintain a high level of commitment and extend the collective momentum observed during the first outing. A victory would allow Tunisia to free themselves before the last match against Tanzania and to manage the rest of the tournament with more serenity.
A concerned group and an unchanged team
Sami Trabelsi also wanted to reassure about the physical condition of his squad. All the players are available and able to take their place, which should lead the coach to renew the eleven lined up against Uganda. âYou donât change a winning team,â he decided, banking on the stability and automatisms already in place.
Former pillar of the Tunisian defense and unfortunate finalist of the 1996 CAN, Trabelsi knows that the road remains long. But he hammers home a constant message to his group: move forward step by step, without projecting too far ahead, while maintaining this collective rigor which is essential to hope to go far in a competition which will last until January 18.
