Interim boss Yaacoubi overhauls Tunisia squad for vital qualifiers

Tunisia's interim coach Kais Yaacoubi has made sweeping changes to his squad for this week's crucial 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, with captain Youssef Msakni among ten players axed from the team.

In a bold reshape of the squad, the 58-year-old manager has recalled several players while showing the door to established names, including Esperance goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said and CS Sfaxien's Sabri Ben Hassen.

The goalkeeping department sees the return of Aymen Dahmen and Moez Ben Cherifia, who last featured for the national team in June and March 2023 respectively, while Amanallah Memmiche retains his position as first-choice keeper.

The defensive line has undergone significant transformation with Hamza Mathlouthi, Amin Cherni, and Ali Abdi earning recalls, replacing Raed Bouchniba, Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida, and Houssem Ben Ali.

In midfield, Idriss El Mizouni and Hadj Mahmoud have been brought back into the fold, while established midfielder Ferjani Sassi and Houssem Tka have been left out of the squad.

The attack has seen the most dramatic overhaul, with four players making way including veteran captain Msakni, Seifeddine Jaziri, Chiheb Jebali, and Bilel Mejri.

Their places have been taken by returning strikers Amor Laayouni, Sayfallah Ltaief, Haythem Jouini, and Nabil Makni, while Rabil El Homri of Olympique Beja and Hazem Mastouri from US Monastir receive their first call-ups.

The North African side, who currently top Group A, face Madagascar in Pretoria on November 14 before hosting Gambia four days later in Tunis, with qualification for AFCON 2025 hanging in the balance.

Tunisia's position at the top of Group A remains precarious, with the Comoros just one point behind and Gambia trailing by two points.

These upcoming fixtures will be crucial in determining their qualification for the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations.

The squad will assemble ahead of their first qualifier against Madagascar, where they'll be looking to strengthen their grip on Group A and move closer to securing their place in the continental showpiece.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: A.Memich, A.Dahmen, M.Ben Cherifia

Defenders: W.Kechrida, M.Talbi, Y.Meriah, N.Ghandri, H.Mathlouthi, A.Ghram, A.Abdi, A.Cherni

Midfielders: E.Skhiri, A.Laidouni, H.Rafia, Hannibal, Ben Romdhane, I.El Mizouni, M.Hadj Mahmoud

Forwards: A.Laayouni, S.Ltaief, N.Makni, R.El Homri, A.Haj Mohamed, B.Aït-Malek, H.Jouini, H.Mastouri