Benzarti returns to Eagles of Carthage nest

The Tunisian Football Federation (FTF) has announced the return of Faouzi Benzarti to the helm of the national team as the permanent successor to Jalel Kadri.

Montassar Louhichi and Anis Boussaidi had been serving as caretaker coaches since Kadri stepped down from his post during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations following the Eagles of Carthage’s exit at the group stages.

The duo went unbeaten in their four matches in charge of the 2004 African champions, recording successive 0-0 draws against Croatia and New Zealand in the 2024 FIFA Series friendlies in March before maintaining the team’s 100 per cent start in Group H of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup by beating Equatorial Guinea 1-0 in Tunis on June 5.

Tunisia’s perfect record in the qualifiers came to an end with a 0-0 stalemate against Namibia in Johannesburg, South Africa on June 9, although they remain two points clear of the Brave Warriors at the top of the group.

The FTF has now decided to make a permanent appointment by bringing back Benzarti, who is set for his fourth term as head coach.

The 74-year-old Tunisian has plenty of experience at club level, having won league titles in his country with ES Tunis, Etoile du Sahel and Club Africain as well as Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca.

Benzarti guided the Eagles of Carthage to the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations during his second spell, but hasn’t always seen eye to eye with the FTF after being sacked in 2018 just three months into his tenure over a disagreement with the governing body’s president.

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