Club Africain score late to defeat Espérance and sensationally clinch Tunisia Ligue 1 title

Club Africain are the champions of Tunisia’s Ligue 1 Professionnelle for the first time since the 2014-15 season after overcoming title rivals Espérance 1-0 in the latest edition of the Tunis Derby played at the Stade Olympique de Radès.

Ghaith Zaalouni finished off a counter-attack in the 16th minute of second half stoppage time to clinch a massive victory for CA in the latest edition of the Tunis Derby. Espérance, in need of a victory to control their destiny in the final round, threw all numbers forward on a throw-in to find a winning goal but instead conceded all hope following Zaalouni’s strike from distance.

With CA leading by two points heading into the decisive clash, the match itself was a tense affair that experienced plenty of delays due to smoke emanating from flairs fired by supporters. With a resulting lack of rhythm combined with the strong defenses on both sides, opportunities to score came at a premium.

Club Africain clinch title in spectacular fashion

But late on, it was Zaalouni, a player who has notably impressed during his club’s title run, who kept his nerves intact to fire a perfectly placed strike past EST goalkeeper Amanallah Memmiche in the final seconds. It is Club Africain’s 14th top flight title as they secure a long-awaited return to the summit of Tunisian football.

📊 #Ligue1Tn🇹🇳 Week 29 #ESTCA | Standings / الترتيب / Classement pic.twitter.com/FuTlITJxsC

— Espérance de Tunis ❤️💛 الترجي التونسي (@ESTuniscom) May 10, 2026

Espérance had won the previous two titles, as well as eight of the last nine championships to make the victory even sweeter for CA. With only one point separating them from third place CS Sfaxien, EST will have to keep their focus in the final fixture at US Ben Guerdane where a victory will ensure that they compete in the CAF Champions League next season.