Tunisia Cancelled Friendly Match Against Mali
The national team cited player injury concerns and commitments for the decision to cancel the scheduled game.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Soccer
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Tunisia cancelled a friendly match against Mali that was scheduled for Saturday. The decision follows reports of injury concerns regarding 25-year-old Norwich City midfielder Anis Ben Slimane.
Why it matters
The Tunisian Football Federation cited ongoing player injuries and commitments as the primary reason for the cancellation. Reports also suggested concerns that a negative outcome against Mali could impact Tunisia's FIFA ranking.
Anis Ben Slimane played 64 minutes in a 2-2 draw against Botswana on Monday. He has recorded one goal and one assist across nine appearances for Norwich City this season.
The players
Anis Ben Slimane
He is a 25-year-old midfielder who currently plays for Norwich City.
Moez Nasri
He serves as the president of the Tunisian Football Federation.
Philippe Clement
He is the head coach of Norwich City.
The details
The cancellation comes amid a busy period for Norwich City, which has 12 senior players currently on international duty. Tunisia previously recorded a 1-1 draw against Uganda during the same international break.
Timeline
Monday: Anis Ben Slimane played 64 minutes against Botswana.
Saturday: The friendly match against Mali was originally scheduled.
October 10: Norwich City is set to return to action against Swansea.
Season Trajectory
International breaks often create friction between national teams and clubs, as seen in this decision to protect players like Anis Ben Slimane. This impacts squad availability as Norwich City prepares for its upcoming match against Swansea on October 10.
The cancellation removes a data point for tracking player performance during the international break. Fantasy managers and fans should note Anis Ben Slimane's availability status ahead of Norwich City's October 10 fixture against Swansea.
The takeaway
Maintaining player health is a primary concern for clubs during international windows, especially when key players like Anis Ben Slimane participate in multiple matches. Teams must balance national team commitments with the physical toll on squad members during intense season schedules.
What happens next
Norwich City is scheduled to return to competitive play against Swansea on October 10.
Further reading
For more updates on international fixtures, visit the Soccer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Norwich Evening News.
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