AFCON 2025: Trabelsi rues missed chances, eyes decisive Tanzania test
Tunisia coach Sami Trabelsi admitted there was ‘bitterness’ after his side’s 3-2 defeat to Nigeria in Fez but stressed that the next game against Tanzania will be decisive for their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign.
‘Of course, there is a sense of bitterness after the match and this defeat. We felt we could have come back, especially during the final 30 minutes.
‘The players performed at a very high level in that period; we created many chances, scored two goals and could have scored more,’ Trabelsi said.
‘The defeat hurts, but there is also a positive aspect: it shows that we can compete with any opponent when we impose our style of play and our ball possession.
‘We respected them, yes, while trying to remain balanced. We know that Nigeria have very fast and powerful players, so we tried to reduce the spaces.
‘In the first half, we had a few chances that we should have taken. The goals we conceded came from crosses; it was not a matter of too much respect, but rather that we lost too many defensive and attacking duels. Once we started winning our attacking duels, we were much better and put the opponent under pressure.’
Trabelsi acknowledged his side’s slow start but praised their dominance in the closing stages: ‘I repeat, we did not start the match well because we lost too many duels.
‘However, over the final 35 minutes, we were dominant and the final result could have been very different. It is a matter of judgement.
‘When we needed even more attacking penetration, we introduced Ismail Gharbi, but the performance of those already on the pitch was not poor. The next match will be decisive.’
Nigeria had raced into a 3-0 lead through Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman, before Tunisia mounted a spirited fightback with goals from Montassar Talbi and Ali Abdi.
Despite Ferjani Sassi going close in stoppage time, the Carthage Eagles fell short, leaving them on three points in Group C.
Tunisia now travel to Rabat to face Tanzania, while Nigeria, already qualified for the Round of 16, meet Uganda in Fez.
