Feyenoord defender Saidi, a key member in Tunisia’s title winning campaign two years ago, contracted a hamstring injury during training with the Tunisian team on Friday and will not be able to recover ahead of the tournament.

The 24-year-old Yahia was also a member of Tunisia's squad at the last Nations Cup.

The Tunisian national team arrived in Alexandria on Monday afternoon to begin their title defence.

Tunisia open their Group C matches by facing Zambia on Sunday.