Tunisia’s coach, Sami Trabelsi has hinted that he will adopt a strategy of ‘collective responsibility’ for all his players in order to defeat Nigeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, Sports247 gathered.
Rather than put one of his defenders as a man-marker on Super Eagles’ hitman, Victor Osimhen in Saturday’s potentially decisive second group fixture, Trabelsi said he will treat all of the Nigerian players equally.
The Tunisian tactician reckoned further that his players should also be ready to play together as a team, instead of thinking about exhibiting any individual talent in their efforts towards achieving victory against the Nigerians.
This would be in stark contrast with Nigeria’s style that relies heavily on Osimhen for inspiration and goals, but which backfired disastrously during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification play-off final against DR Congo, when he was forced off by an injury.
In Osinhem’s absence, the Eagles lost their focus and failed to fly further in one of their most miserable second half performances ever, but Trabelsi ruled out any strategy aimed at curtailing Osimhen alone during Saturday’s game.
He went on to acknowledge that all his players will have to be on their toes, with total focus, full concentration and collective effort for every second that the encounter in Fez, Morocco would last, without giving preferences to any single opponent.
“We must be focused. We need to maintain a high level of concentration against any opponent and any type of player in any team.
“We are a team known for a collective approach at all levels, both defensively and offensively.
“We will deal with all the players, and all the stars present in the Africa Cup of Nations with the same discipline.
“Nothing will be exceptional for any player, but there will be collective defensive and offensive organization,” Trabelsi stated.
He added that his team’s performance on Saturday will have to be many notches better than what they pulled off in Tuesday’s 3-1 victory over Uganda, as the Super Eagles are bound to put up a sterner challenge.
“In the last game there was no real expression. When we play with organised offense and defense, it decreases the performance of some players.
“Nigeria are strong offensively and defensively. (So), all players will be involved, not only defenders. We focus fully on the field,” Trabelsi reiterated with affirmation.
