Tunisia fires coach Kebaier after African Cup exit

Posted January 30, 2022 6:00 am

By BOUAZZA BEN BOUAZZA

Tunisia's head coach Mondher Kebaier gestures to the referee claiming he ended the match early in the African Cup of Nations 2022 group F soccer match between Tunisia and Mali at the Limbe Omnisport Stadium in Limbe, Cameroon, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba) The Associated Press

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) - The Tunisian Football Federation fired national team coach Mondher Kebaier on Sunday following a quarterfinal exit at the African Cup of Nations.

He was replaced by his assistant, Jalel Kadri, the federation said.

Kadri will oversee the team in a World Cup qualifying playoff against Mali in March.

Tunisia beat Nigeria in the last 16 at the African Cup in Cameroon to raise hopes of a strong challenge this year. However, it lost 1-0 to Burkina Faso in the quarterfinals on Saturday.

Ultimately it was a poor African Cup for the 2004 champion after losing group games to Mali and tournament debutant Gambia and only qualifying for the knockout stage as one of the best third-place teams.

The 50-year-old Kadri has an opportunity to avenge the defeat to Mali when the teams meet again in the two-leg World Cup playoff.

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Tunisia's head coach Mondher Kebaier, reacts during the African Cup of Nations 2022 group F soccer match between Gambia and Tunisia at the Omnisport Stadium in Limbe, Cameroon, Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba) The Associated Press

Tunisia's Hamza Rafia, reacts after he missed a goal during the African Cup of Nations 2022 group F soccer match between Gambia and Tunisia at the Omnisport Stadium in Limbe, Cameroon, Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba) The Associated Press

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