Tunisia coach calls for mental reset after disappointing group stage

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Soccer Football - CAF Africa Cup of Nations - Morocco 2025 - Group C - Tanzania v Tunisia - Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco - December 30, 2025 Tunisia coach Sami Trabelsi REUTERS/Stringer

Jan 2 - Tunisia coach Sami Trabelsi conceded his team fell short of expectations in the Africa Cup of Nations group stage and said they need a mental reset to deliver a more consistent performance when they face Mali in the last 16 on Saturday.

Tunisia, champions in 2004, started this years tournament brightly with a 3-1 win over Uganda. They then drew 1-1 with Tanzania before losing 3-2 to Nigeria, but still qualified for the next round.

Trabelsi said they know they must raise their game.

We are not satisfied with the overall performance and results of the Tunisian team in the tournament, Trabelsi told a press conference on Friday. God willing, we will show our true face against Mali and achieve success.

I hope the result goes our way as a new phase of the competition begins. The mental aspect is very important, and weve freed ourselves from pressure, he added.

The coach stressed the importance of seizing limited chances in what he expects to be a tight contest.

Mali is a big team with players of high technical and physical quality. The match will be decided by small details and mistakes, and there wont be many chances, Trabelsi said.

The most important thing is to take advantage