AFCON 2025: Super Eagles Have Quality Players Despite World Cup Miss - Tunisia Legend

AFCON 2025: Super Eagles Have Quality Players Despite World Cup Miss - Tunisia Legend

Sampson Adedeji

Tunisia legend Hocine Ragued has attributed his country’s defeat to Nigeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations to the tactical approach adopted by head coach Sami Trabelsi, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Ragued, a former Tunisia international with 56 caps, believes the coaching staff underestimated the Super Eagles and allowed Nigeria to dictate the tempo of the contest from the outset.

According to the ex-midfielder, Tunisia only showed their true quality after making changes that saw the team play higher up the pitch and commit more bodies forward.

“We saw that with a change of system and some more incisive players, we saw a Tunisia that played a bit higher up the pitch, that dared to attack and let loose, and we immediately saw the difference,” Ragued said.

He expressed disappointment that Tunisia did not begin the match with the same aggressive intent, insisting that Nigeria remain a top side despite recent setbacks.

“It’s a shame we didn’t start with those intentions. Nigeria is going through a period of doubt; they haven’t qualified for the World Cup,” he added.

Ragued maintained that Tunisia missed an opportunity to put early pressure on the Super Eagles and exploit any uncertainty in their ranks.

“Today, Tunisia held the cards to make Nigeria doubt themselves right from the start of the match,” he fumed.

Nigeria’s victory further strengthened their position in the tournament, while Tunisia were left to rue what might have been after a cautious start cost them dearly.