Thursday 27 April 2017, 17:36

Maaloul appointed as Tunisia coach

  • Tunisia announce appointment of new head coach Nabil Maaloul

  • Eagles of Carthage are tied on points with Congo DR in Group A in Round 3 of Africa's Russia 2018 qualifiers

  • Tunisia are 42nd in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking

The Tunisian Football Federation have appointed former national team midfielder Nabil Maaloul as the new head coach of the Eagles of Carthage.

The 54-year-old returns as coach of Tunisia after he had a short spell with the team for six months in 2013 during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ qualifiers.

A former coach of the Kuwait national team, Maaloul will be tasked with guiding Tunisia to the World Cup in Russia. Tunisia are currently joint-top of Group A with Congo DR after two matches in Round 3 of Africa's Russia 2018 qualifiers.

Maaloul and the Eagles of Carthage will host Congo DR on 28 August of this year in a crucial top-of-the-table clash. Each of the five group winners in Africa will book a place in next summer's World Cup.

Tunisia currently lie in 42nd place in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, one place behind fellow Group A leaders Congo DR.