Tunisia Ligue 1: Espérance move ahead with win, Club Africain held

The 18th round from Tunisia’s Ligue 1 Professionnelle kicked off on Tuesday with reigning champions Espérance Tunis (EST) and closest contenders Club Africain (CA) in action.

Algerian attacker Kouceila Boualia gave EST a two-point edge at the top of the table with his free kick strike in the 29th minute, enough for Taraji to secure a 1-0 victory over JS Kairouan at the Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi in Radès.

EST coach Maher Kanzari rotated some players into his eleven after Saturday’s 1-0 home victory over Simba SC in the CAF Champions League. Striker Florian Danho continued to struggle while Mohamed Dräger made his debut for the hosts, but Boualia’s individual moment of brilliance allowed the defending champions to overcome relegation fighters JSK.

 

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And now EST have the advantage after Club Africain could only manage a 0-0 draw at ES Zarzis. The result puts an end to a 3-match winning streak for CA that saw them move level with their Tunis rivals. While the defense performed adequately despite the departure of Libya national team defender Ali Youssef, the attack failed to find a way past a rather weak Zarzis defense.

Elsewhere on Tuesday, CS Sfaxien continued their excellent form with a 2-0 victory over ES Métlaoui.

Club legend Ali Maaloul, the long time Tunisia national team left back and former star with Egyptian titans Al Ahly, provided an excellent assist as Tunisia U-20 national team forward Omar Ben Ali scored both goals in the victory. CSS are now only five points back of leaders EST in third place following the result. Les Sfaxiens have now won six consecutive league matches.

The 18th round will finish on Wednesday. Stade Tunisien can reclaim third place if they are able to defeat AS Soliman while US Monastir and Étoile du Sahel are also in action.

Tunisia Ligue 1 Professionnelle Table