Mohamed Amine Naffati: The man shaping Tunisia’s talents for the future
Tunisia’s U-17 national team began their TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 campaign in style, defeating Somalia 3-0 in a convincing display – but head coach Mohamed Amine Naffati insists his team must sharpen up if they are to go far in the tournament.
The Carthage Eaglets wasted no time asserting dominance at the El Abdi Stadium in El Jadida, opening the scoring within minutes of kick-off before adding two more goals — one before half-time and another in the second half — to seal all three points.
"We started the match well today, we scored in the first minutes, which made things a little easier for us," Naffati said after the final whistle. Despite the comfortable win, the 43-year-old coach remained unsatisfied with his side’s efficiency in front of goal.
"We missed several chances; normally, the score doesn't end at 3-0," he added. It was a subtle but firm reminder to his young players that technical dominance must be backed by ruthless execution.
A coach with a clear vision
For Naffati, this victory represents more than just three points — it's a building block in a larger project aimed at nurturing Tunisia’s next generation of football stars. Known for his methodical approach, Naffati brings more than a coach's mindset; he sees himself as a mentor and architect of the national team's future.
"There are things to rectify, and that's normal; it's the first match of the competition," he said. Having spent years honing his craft within Tunisia’s youth football structures, Naffati is deeply invested in the process of development over quick wins.
"All we have to do is work, only work pays off," he continued. His words reflect a philosophy rooted in discipline, growth, and resilience — qualities he believes will prepare these teenagers not just for this tournament, but for the pressures of elite football.
Shaping minds as well as players
One of Naffati’s standout qualities is his holistic approach to coaching. While his teams are tactically drilled and defensively disciplined, he places equal emphasis on psychological readiness and emotional maturity.
"It's not easy to find yourself in an AFCON for the first time, and what's more, these are young people aged 16 to 17," he noted. He recognises that competing at a continental level is a major milestone in the players’ lives and that managing nerves is just as crucial as executing tactics.
Eyes on Senegal clash
Tunisia’s next test comes in the form of reigning champions Senegal — a mouth-watering clash that promises to test the Eaglets’ discipline and Naffati’s tactics to the limit.
"It's normal, Senegal is a great African nation, just like Tunisia. We'll start the match at 50-50. It's a football match, and I hope we'll have all three points at the end of the match," Naffati declared.
With such an approach — blending strategic acumen, developmental focus, and mental resilience — Tunisia might just emerge as one of the teams to watch at this year’s tournament. If his players maintain the level of seriousness seen in the opening game, Mohamed Amine Naffati’s long-term vision could deliver immediate results.
