The Tunisian selection validated its ticket for the round of 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations despite a draw against Tanzania (1-1) on Tuesday in Rabat. A qualification acquired at the end of a laborious group phase, marked by performances deemed insufficient by the coach and the players themselves.
A qualification acquired through pain
Opposed to Tanzania during the third and final day of group C, Tunisia was unable to make the difference, concluding the match with a score of parity (1-1). If the result allowed the Eagles of Carthage to continue their continental journey, the content once again revealed gaps in the game, both on a collective and technical level.
At the end of the meeting, coach Sami Trabelsi bluntly acknowledged the difficulties his team was going through. He stressed that Tunisia is engaged in a reconstruction phase, after several early eliminations during previous editions of the CAN, including that of Ivory Coast in 2023.
“I recognize that the three matches we played in the group stage against Uganda, Nigeria and Tanzania were not of high quality, and that our level of play was not up to par, but the main thing remains the qualification for the round of 16. »
Players lucid about the level displayed
On the players’ side, the speech was intended to be realistic but resolutely focused on the rest of the competition. Ismail Gharbi spoke of a trying match, marked by a significant commitment without the hoped-for success. According to him, Tunisia deserved better, but the main thing remains qualification and the possibility of continuing the African adventure.
Same story for Hannibal Majbri, who insisted on the importance of the result more than the performance. The Tunisian midfielder admitted that the team sought to control the ball to regain confidence, but that certain errors cost the victory. However, he called for the necessary lessons to be learned from the three matches played in the group stage.
Heading for the eighth against Mali
Qualified for the next round, Tunisia will face Mali in the round of 16 next Saturday. A decisive meeting which will force the Eagles of Carthage to clearly raise their level of play to hope to continue their journey in Morocco.
