Trabelsi saddened by Chedli walkout

Tunisia coach Sami Trabelsi regrets midfielder Adel Chedli’s premature departure from this year’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Veteran Chedli pulled out of the Tunisia squad part-way through the tournament after not featuring in the plans of Trabelsi.

The coach said no player, even one of Chedli’s pedigree, was guaranteed a starting role in the team.

“Participating in an African Cup and being part of the national team is an honour in and of itself,” he told Mosaique FM.

“We don’t have a substitute for the substitutes in the national team.”

“(Yassine) Chikhaoui sat, (Ousamma) Darragi sat, (Khaled) Korbi sat, (Issam) Jemaa sat. All of them sat on the bench.”

“When the list was announced, and even before it was announced, I was clear in saying no one was a starter and no one was indispensable to the national team.”

“Performances on the pitch would decide who played or not.”

Trabelsi said Chedli’s withdrawal was all the more disappointing owing to the 35-year-old’s seniority and high standing within the squad.

“Adel Chedli was in the group … to show proper recognition to players who gave a lot to their national team or to their club,” Trabelsi said.

“We always show the player out through the small door.”

“I was a player and saw it happen to players before me. My choice backfired though because Chedli turned out to be the wrong example for my project of honouring veterans.”

“I was disappointed by his decision given his experience and his long career.”

Chedli was a member of the Tunisia team which won the 2004 Afcon crown.

Without him, Tunisia exited this year’s edition of the competition in the quarter-finals.