Sebastian Tounekti has started like a house on fire at Celtic.
But in December, Celtic will be without his services when he aims to compete for his beloved Tunisia at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Tounekti only has three international caps to his name, but he did feature off the bench for Tunisia in their recent World Cup qualifiers.
Given Tounekti’s strong form for Celtic, and the fact that he is playing in Europe, you expect him to be named in the final cut by returning manager Sami Trabelsi.
If that’s the case, how many Celtic games will Tounekti miss? And how many more matches could be absent for, if Tunisia perform well and reach the knockout stages, and beyond?
The Celtic games Sebastian Tounekti will miss as Tunisia aim for glory at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
Morocco are the host nation, with the Ivory Coast the current holders, as the tournament itself will kick off on December 21.
What needs to be taken into account here is that Tunisia’s opening group match is on December 23, so Tounekti won’t be available in the days or even a week before that because he will need to train with his national teammates, as well as travel.
- Tunisia vs Uganda, 23rd December, 14:30 (UK time)
- Nigeria vs Tunisia, 27th December, 12:00 (UK time)
- Tanzania vs Tunisia, 30 December, 17:00 (UK time)
There will be a meeting between Tounekti and Iheanacho, as their nations clash for their second group game of the tournament.
But these are the Celtic matches Tounekti will miss:
- Celtic vs Aberdeen, Sunday, 21st December, Premiership.
- Livingston vs Celtic, Saturday, 27th December, Premiership
- Motherwell vs Celtic, Tuesday, 30th December, Premiership
- Celtic vs Rangers, Saturday, 3rd January, Premiership
What if Tunisia reach the knockout stages?
It won’t look good for Celtic because, with Nigeria also expected to do well, that’s two key attacking components the champions of Scotland will be without.
But these are the Celtic matches Tounekti could miss if Tunisia reach the knockout stages, with the final itself concluding on January 18.
- Celtic vs Dundee United, Saturday, 10th January, 2026, Premiership
- Scottish Cup, fourth round, weekend of 17th January, 2026
- Bologna vs Celtic, Thursday, 22nd January, 2026, Europa League
This is where Brendan Rodgers will be in a spot of bother, and he certainly doesn’t want a Tunisia vs Nigeria final, even though he would be delighted for those players and the success that will come with it.
But by then, Celtic fans will be hoping Michel-Ange Balikwisha has stepped up to the plate, because he has started pretty poorly.
Daizen Maeda can’t play everywhere, and with Iheanacho also absent, the Japan star, despite his centre-forward struggles, might need to lead the line.
That then leaves a gap on the left flank, and with Jota still long-term injured, the likes of Balikwisha and Yang need to step up.
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