Tunisia Ligue 1: Algerian connection lifts Esperance

Kouceila Boualia scored his first goal for Esperance ST as the reigning Tunisia Ligue 1 Professionnelle champions returned to winning ways with Tuesday’s 2-0 result over ES Metlaoui.

Boualia, who arrived from Algerian runners-up JS Kabylie, opened his account courtesy of an assist from countryman Youcef Belaïli to open the scoring. The 21st minute goal and a red card issued to visitors Metlaoui fifteen minutes later set the stage for a routine victory.

Substitute Achref Jabri finished off the victory in the second half. A surprise defeat to Stade Tunisien leaves EST three points back of ST on the league table but there are signs of improvement after a slow start to the 2025-26 season.

Stade Tunisien followed up their excellent victory over the reigning champions with a 2-1 victory at Olympique Beja. Senegalese forward Amadou N’Diaye’s goal early in the second half secured three points for the league leaders after the two teams played to a 1-1 draw in the first half.

Esperance will next begin their continental journey in the CAF Champions League on Sunday in Niger when they clash with AS FAN for the first leg of their qualifying stage tie. Stade Tunisien, meanwhile, begin qualifying for the CAF Confederation Cup against Mauritania’s ASC SNIM with the first leg set to take place in Tunis.