11 Years on, Balha is Still in Our Hearts

On the 4th of January 1997, Tunisia lost an iconic figure. His name was Hedi Berekhissa but he was better known as Balha to those who cheered him on week in and week out in the domestic league. Standing two meters tall, he had an astounding physical presence and was a veritable force in central defense. 11 years to this day, he was on the pitch playing in a friendly against Olympique Lyonnais when he went to control a ball in the last minute of the match and suddenly collapsed. People thought he was injured at first, but he didn’t move and both teams ran onto the pitch and gathered around him. The crowd went silent and later our worst fears were confirmed.

The man who seemed invincible, who had scored two marvelous goals in the African Champions League final against Egypt’s Zamalek to give Esperance it’s only continental title, who helped lead our national team to the final of the 1996 African Cup in South Africa and was a becoming a target for top European clubs had succumbed to a heart attack at the tender age of 25. Off the field he was known as a gentle giant and on it he was never sent off for a violent challenge (amazing for any player but especially a defender- this according to the video below). 11 years on we are left to wonder what could have been. Rest in peace Balha, we love you and miss you still.

The Stats:

9 goals and 3 Tunisian Championships (90/91, 92/93 and 93/94)
1 Tunisian Cup (1991)
1 Arab Cup
1 African Champions League Title
1 African Super Cup
1 Afro-Asian Cup
Best Arab Player in 1995
26 Matches with the Tunisian National Team (6 goals scored)

His career was cut short but clearly he did more than enough to mark his place in the annals of Tunisian football forever.