Tunisia Ligue 1: Esperance dominate while rivals slip up

Reigning champions Esperance Sportive de Tunis increased their lead at the top of the Tunisia Ligue 1 Professionnelle table on Thursday while title rivals Stade Tunisien and Club Africain cancelled each other out.

The Blood and Gold, winners of both the league and domestic cup last season, are in full gear. A 4-0 victory over JS Omrane leaves EST three points clear at the top of the table after a dominant second half.

Youcef Belaili converted a penalty kick to open the scoring in the 50th minute and then the champions doubled their lead with a brilliant team goal. A lofted ball into the JSO penalty area was cushioned down by a header from Yan Sasse and Chiheb Jebali’s finish was perfect. Goals from Tunisia U-20 international Koussay Maacha and Hamza Jelassi confirmed the lopsided victory.

The victory for EST was particularly pleasing for their supporters after learning that Stade Tunisien and Club Africain played to a 0-0 draw in the other match from Thursday. Only a point behind EST before the match, the two teams were each forced to settle for a point.

On Wednesday, Etoile du Sahel won their third consecutive match with a 1-0 result over ES Zarzis, who had three players issued red cards. US Monastir, currently in fourth place, failed to win with a 2-2 result at ES Metlaoui.

Tunisia Ligue 1 Results: Round 13

AS Soliman 0-1 US Ben Guerdane

JS Kairouan 2-1 AS Gabes

Olympique Beja 0-1 CS Sfaxien

AS Marsa 2-0 CA Bizertin

ES Metlaoui 2-2 US Monastir

Etoile du Sahel 1-0 ES Zarzis

Esperance Tunis 4-0 JS Omrane

Stade Tunisien 0-0 Club Africain