Published:
Tunisia coach Sami Trabelsi has named his final 28-man squad for the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, opting for continuity while making targeted adjustments ahead of a tournament the Carthage Eagles hope will reignite their competitive edge on the continental stage.
The squad sees the return of influential midfielders Ellyes Skhiri and Hannibal Mejbri, who both missed the side’s recent outings.
Their reinstatement restores vital balance and creativity to a team set to face Uganda, Nigeria and Tanzania in a challenging Group C.
Trabelsi’s selection keeps faith with the core of players who featured in November’s international matches, with the goalkeeping department remaining unchanged.
Aymen Dahmen, Bechir Ben Saïd, Noureddine Farhati and Sabri Ben Hassen form a settled quartet, with Ben Hassen returning after missing the Arab Cup due to injury.
Defensively, the coach has opted for stability blended with strategic reinforcements.
Regular starters Yassine Meriah, Montassar Talbi, Dylan Bronn, Ali Maâloul and Ali Abdi all keep their places, while Adem Arous and Nader Ghandri return to the national fold after missing the Qatar tournament.
Ghandri—fresh from an impressive run with Akhmat Grozny—expressed his pride at being recalled, declaring that he is “ready to give 100% for Tunisia.”
In midfield, Trabelsi has retained the structure built around Ferjani Sassi, Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, and Houssem Tka, with Skhiri and Hannibal strengthening the heart of the team.
Attacking options include the consistent trio of Elias Saad, Sébastien Tounekti and Firas Chaouat, while Elias Achouri, Hazem Mastouri and Seifeddine Jaziri complete a frontline designed for versatility and work rate.
Notably absent are players such as Layouni and Nacim Dendani, both of whom featured in Qatar but did not make the final cut.
Trabelsi explained that his decisions were based on competitiveness and tactical balance, adding that younger prospects will be introduced gradually to preserve their long-term development.
With just ten days to go before the tournament begins, Tunisia will now enter their final preparation phase, hoping that the blend of returning stars, defensive stability and experienced leadership can guide them deep into the knockout rounds.
Goalkeepers
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Aymen Dahmen (CS Sfaxien)
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Bechir Ben Saïd (Espérance de Tunis)
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Sabri Ben Hassen (Étoile du Sahel)
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Noureddine Farhati (Stade Tunisien)
Defenders
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Yan Valery (Sheffield Wednesday)
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Mohamed Ben Ali (Espérance de Tunis)
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Dylan Bronn (Servette FC)
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Montassar Talbi (FC Lorient)
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Yassine Meriah (Espérance de Tunis)
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Adem Arous (Kasimpasa)
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Nader Ghandri (Akhmat Grozny)
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Mortadha Ben Ouanes (Kasimpasa)
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Ali Abdi (OGC Nice)
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Ali Maaloul (CS Sfaxien)
Midfielders
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Ferjani Sassi (Al Gharafa)
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Ellyes Skhiri (Eintracht Frankfurt)
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Houssem Tka (Espérance de Tunis)
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Mohamed Hadj Mahmoud (FC Lugano)
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Ismael Gharbi (Augsburg)
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Hannibal Mejbri (Burnley FC)
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Naim Sliti (Al Shamal)
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Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane (Al Ahly)
Forwards
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Elias Saad (Augsburg)
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Elias Achouri (FC Copenhagen)
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Hazem Mastouri (Dinamo Makhachkala)
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Sébastien Tounekti (Celtic)
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Firas Chaouat (Club Africain)
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Seifeddine Jaziri (Zamalek)
