AFCON 2025: Tunisia coach Sami Trabelsi touches hearts with jersey gift to Moroccan security guard

Tunisian national team head coach Sami Trabelsi shared a touching moment off the pitch after presenting a Tunisia player’s jersey to a Moroccan private security guard ahead of his side’s clash with Tanzania at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The gesture took place during a press conference at the media centre, where Trabelsi paused proceedings to honour the security guard. The act was widely praised as a sign of appreciation and respect, reflecting the human side of the tournament beyond the competitive action on the field.

The kind gesture was Trabelsi’s way of returning a favour, as the security guard had previously invited the Tunisian coach to lunch, creating a bond that went beyond professional duties.

On the pitch, Tunisia’s AFCON campaign saw them open the tournament with a victory over Uganda before suffering a defeat to Nigeria. They then faced Tanzania in their final Group C fixture on Tuesday in a fiercely contested encounter.

That match ended in a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes, a result that proved sufficient to send both Tunisia and Tanzania through to the Round of 16 stage of AFCON 2025.

🔔📷#لقطة_اليوم | لفتة جميلة قام بها مدرب المنتخب التونسي سامي الطرابلسي، بتكريم أحد حراس الأمن بالمركز الصحفي لرد الجميل للحارس الذي دعاه سابقا لتناول وجبة الغداء pic.twitter.com/eA27FM5yhl

— beIN SPORTS الإخبارية (@beINSPORTSNews) December 29, 2025