Tunisia Ligue 1: Esperance close in on leaders Stade Tunisien

Esperance ST dominated AS Marsa 3-0 on Wednesday to move to within a point of Tunisia Ligue 1 Professionnelle leaders Stade Tunisien.

Mohamed Amine Tougai’s header just before halftime broke the resistance of hosts AS Marsa as EST overcame the relegation candidates. Newly acquired striker Florian Danho continued to impress as well after the Frenchman doubled Esperance’s lead in his first start for the club. Danho opened his account in Tunisian football as a substitute on his debut last week.

Achref Jabri added one more goal late on for EST, who took advantage of Stade Tunisien’s failure to win on Wednesday. ST did well to find a late goal and draw 1-1 at Etoile du Sahel in a match that ended 10 v 10 after each team had a player sent off.

Halftime substitute Mohamed Smaali rescured a point for the visitors and league leaders, finishing after an excellent effort from fellow substitute Boubacar Camara on the right wing.

Stade Tunisien, who defeated Esperance at home in mid-September, remain a point ahead but will have to balance their efforts between domestic league play and their ongoing CAF Confederation Cup campaign. ST have a difficult test ahead against Morocco’s Olympique Safi in the final round of Confederation Cup qualifying later in October.

The other match from Wednesday ended scoreless between CS Sfaxien and last season’s runners-up US Monastir.

Tunisia Ligue 1 Results: Wednesday

CS Sfaxien 0-0 US Monastir

AS Marsa 0-3 Esperance ST

Etoile du Sahel 1-1 Stade Tunisien

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