Afcon 2021: Tunisia sack coach Mondher Kebaier after quarter-final exit

It appeared that former Tunisia manager Mondher Kebaier had won over national team supporters following the Carthage Eagles’ runner-up finish at the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup in December, but now the coach is out of a job after the team’s quarterfinal exit at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations a month later. Tunisia’s campaign in Cameroon was hampered by numerous Covid-19 infections, resulting in the team struggling to advance out of their group before upsetting a favored Nigeria team in the Round of 16. However, the team’s defeat to Burkina Faso continued a trend of defensive-minded football that caused supporters to turn against the 51-year-old manager. Kebaier’s deputy, Jalal al-Kadri, will take over for the team’s crucial 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixtures against Mali starting on March 23.