Tunisia coach resigns after surprise Africa Cup of Nations exit
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Tunisia coach Jalel Kadri has said that his contract had fixed an objective to reach the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals.
PHOTO: REUTERS
KORHOGO – Jalel Kadri has left his role as coach of Tunisia following his side’s surprise early exit from the Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast.
Kadri, who led the Tunisians at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar where they beat France, made the announcement in a post-match television interview following the 0-0 draw with South Africa on Jan 24 to finish bottom of their group.
“My mission at the head of the Tunisian national team is now over,” he said after the team garnered just two points from three games, which included a stunning opening 1-0 loss to Namibia.
Tunisia’s only goal was scored by Hamza Rafia in the 1-1 draw with Mali.
“My decision is definite. My contract fixed as an objective the semi-finals and because we haven’t made that, the contract is over.”
Kadri is the sixth coaching casualty at a tournament filled with shocks as Ghana’s Chris Hughton, Algeria’s Djamel Belmadi, Tanzania's Adel Amrouche and Jean-Louis Gasset from the hosts Ivory Coast have also been relieved of their duties.
Gambia’s Tom Saintfiet resigned after his side’s group-stage exit.
Meanwhile, Morocco coach Walid Regragui was handed a two-match suspension by the Confederation of African Football following a post-match altercation with Democratic Republic of Congo captain Chancel Mbemba on Jan 21.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) revealed Regragui’s ban in a statement published on Jan 24, while confirming that they intended to appeal against the decision.
The FRMF described the punishment as an “incomprehensible decision due to the fact that Regragui did not at any point contravene the spirit of fair play”.
However, Regragui watched the team’s final group game against Zambia from the stands on the same day, which they won 1-0, with assistant coach Rachid Benmahmoud in charge on the bench.
The 2022 World Cup semi-finalists were already assured of a place in the next round before facing Zambia.
The incident between Regragui and Mbemba came as players and staff from both sides brawled at the end of the 1-1 draw in San-Pedro.
Regragui entered the pitch and appeared to have strong words with Marseille defender Mbemba, while also attempting to shake the player’s hand. The two men then had to be separated by several people. REUTERS, AFP
