Faouzi Benzarti has been named the new coach of Tunisia, replacing Nabil Maaloul, the Tunisian Football Federation (FTF) have announced. The 68-year-old Tunisian has signed a two-year contract to take charge of the Carthage Eagles.

The North African side were eliminated in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ group stage, with two defeats in three games. Maaloul stepped down and has taken charge of Qatari club Al-Duhail, who incidentally will compete in the AFC Champions League quarter-finals next month.

Benzarti is one of the most experienced Tunisian coaches with a career spanning four decades, including stints at Esperance Tunis and Club Africain, the two largest Tunisian club outfits. He also has some experience outside of his home nation, notably in Morocco where he took charge of Raja and Wydad Casablanca.

This will be the second time Benzarti has taken the Carthage Eagles reins, having already managed the side between 2009 and 2010. His first mission in the hotseat will be to stay on course for the 2019 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, with his side currently occupying top spot in Group J, having defeated Egypt in the opening round of qualifiers last year.