Tunisia has parted ways with coach Faouzi Benzarti after a surprising home defeat to the Comoros Islands in an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier, the country's football federation announced on Tuesday. The decision came just three months after Benzarti's appointment as head coach, marking the end of his fourth spell in charge of the national team.
The 74-year-old coach faced increasing pressure following Tunisia's shock 1-0 home defeat to the Comoros on October 11, followed by a 1-1 away draw against the same team four days later. Despite Tunisia's strong footballing reputation, these results were seen as major setbacks. The loss on home soil was particularly significant, marking Tunisia's first home defeat in an AFCON qualifier since their 2010 loss to Botswana.
Benzarti's return to the national team in September came with high expectations as he took the helm at the start of the 2025 AFCON qualification campaign. Under his leadership, Tunisia started well, winning their first two group matches against Madagascar and Gambia. However, the recent stumble against the Comoros, a team considered one of the minnows of African football, proved costly for the veteran coach.
Even though Tunisia remains at the top of Group A, their performance against the Comoros raised concerns. The North African side managed only one point from the two encounters, jeopardizing their qualification prospects. Nevertheless, Tunisia is still in a favorable position to qualify for the 2025 AFCON, needing to secure a top-two finish in the group to guarantee their record-extending 17th consecutive appearance in the tournament.
Benzarti, who previously managed Tunisia in 1994, 2010, and 2018, has had a long and storied career in African football. However, this recent chapter will likely be remembered for the surprising defeat that ultimately led to his dismissal. Tunisia now looks ahead to its remaining qualification matches against Gambia and Madagascar in November, with hopes of securing a place in the 2025 AFCON.
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