Tunisia Ligue 1: Top contenders Espérance and US Monastir play to draw

In a battle between last season’s champions and runners-up, US Monastir came back to snatch a point at reigning champions Espérance Sportive de Tunis in the second matchday of Tunisia’s Ligue 1 Profesionnelle on Friday.

Ivorian starlet Abdramane Konaté put the Blood and Gold ahead in the first half with his finish from a Mohamed Ben Ali cross. However, the visitors from the coast battled back with a second half equalizer by Youssef Abdelli.

Both teams surprisingly only have two points through two games, with USM enduring an opening matchday draw against Stade Tunisien while EST failed to find the goal in a scoreless draw with lowly AS Gabès. Espérance conquered the curtain opening event in Tunisian football, the Tunisian Super Cup, twelve days ago with a 1-0 victory over Stade Tunisien.

Elsewhere on Friday, AS Marsa defeated US Ben Guerdane by a 1-0 score while ES Métlaoui won by the same score against AS Soliman. Olympique Béja were held to a 0-0 draw by AS Gabès.

Friday Results

AS Marsa 1-0 US Ben Guerdane

Espérance ST 1-1 US Monastir

Olympique Béja 0-0 AS Gabès

AS Soliman 0-1 ES Métlaoui