CSS Win Ensures an All Tunisian African Super Cup

Having convincingly won the first leg in Khartoum on the score of 4-2, the Sfaxien club came into this game knowing that only total and utter collapse would deprive them of the title against a Sudanese team with nothing to lose. Still reeling from last year’s Champions League final, where they had the Africa’s biggest title taken away from them in cruel fashion, CSS was hoping to ensure nothing of the sort would happen tonight on home soil. Still though, this wasn’t that similar of a situation as in this case only a 3-0 loss would see them take 2nd place.

Given the aggregate result, it came as no surprise that CSS would play the match without committing too many players forward. Nevertheless, the scenario from Om Dormane, where the Tunisian club opened the scoring in the 1st minute, nearly repeated itself. Besides for that first chance, this game had a feeling of anticlimax to it. The game wasn’t a very aesthetically pleasing encounter and the Sudanese, who needed to find the back of the net early to give them a glimmer of hope, looked more willing to go forward. Despite their best efforts, not much was working for them and Blaise Kouassi nearly sealed their fate when he hit the post in the 1st half off a clever pull back from the right. The first half ended 0-0 and CSS was well on their way to take the title.

The second half was a little livelier and both teams had chances to open the scoring (Merreikh off set pieces and CSS off of long distance strikes that missed narrowly). As the minutes ticked and the rain came down, the Sfaxien fans chanted and sang until their goal finally came in the 86th minute off of a Amir Haj Messaoud free kick that the visiting teams keeper failed to deal with. While it wasn’t the prettiest of goals, it was nice for the fans to see their team score in a match that felt more like a formality then a competition. I guess that’s to be expected when the first leg result weighs so heavily on these proceedings. Mabrouk to all CSS supporters and Tunisians at large. With our national team struggling to get some rhythm ahead of the Ghana 2008, at least our clubs are representing Tunisia on the continental level.

So the Champions League Trophy rests in Sousse, the Confederation Cup in Sfax and the African Supercup’s final resting place is yet to be determined. That match will be played on either the 22nd, 23rd, or 24th of February at Etoile’s stadium (the champions league winner gets to play at home). I won’t be missing that one!

The TV7 Postgame Production

There’s some great documentary style footage of Lelo Mbele (the Congolese striker who may be bound for Paris St. Germain) and Blaise Kouassi (the Ivorian might very well be leaving for Europe after taking top scoring honors in this tournament).

The Goal

The Tournament Highlights

Match Highlights

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