Tunisia: Esperance awarded three penalty kicks in victory over bottom side

The second half of the 2025-26 Tunisia Ligue 1 Professionnelle season kicked off on Thursday and it is record champions Esperance de Tunis who remain the leaders following a victory against last placed AS Gabes.

Thursday’s clash was a unique match that saw the reigning champions awarded three penalty kicks. EST legend Youssef Msakni missed his spot kick but Yan Sasse and Hamza Jelassi converted their attempts, good enough to earn three points from the match even if Tunisia national team legend Msakni failed to score his first goal since returning to the club where he built his reputation.

Brazilian playmaker Yan Sasse opened the scoring from the spot in the 11th minute after an apparent handball in the penalty area allowed the former Coritiba player to contribute his sixth goal in all competitions this season.

But ASG, who have only one victory this season that came back in late August against AS Marsa, showed fighting spirit against the league leaders. Their equalizer came under odd circumstances in the 36th minute when the ball was lofted towards the EST goal. Keeper Bechir Ben Saïd attempted to knock the ball down to collect but Mohamed Khadhraoui was there to finish when the Tunisia national team shot stopper pushed the ball too far away from himself.

But veteran defender Jelassi put the Blood and Gold ahead for good just before halftime with his penalty kick. Esperance are now undefeated in their last eleven matches, a spell of results that has allowed them to return to the summit ahead of rivals Club Africain.

EST now lead by six points before the likes of Club Africain, Stade Tunisien and CS Sfaxien play their 16th round fixtures. Of note is the long-term absence of injured Algerian star Youcef Belaïli, a major reason why Msakni returned to Tunisian football to help Esperance in their domestic and continental campaigns for the second half of the season.

The remainder of the round will take place over the next two days with three matches each on Friday and Saturday. Third place club Stade Tunisien host US Monastir on Friday before Club Africain travel to face AS Marsa on Saturday.

 

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