Esperance Books Cup Final Encounter With Etoile

Esperance sealed their place in the Tunisian Cup final yesterday in Kairouan by defeating a surprisingly spry Gafsa on the score of 3-2. The game was cagey at the start, with neither team wanting to make a mistake. EST was having more of the possession but the green and yellow were the first to get off the mark in the 29th minute after Papa Georges dribbled into the box and finished an efficient counter attack.

The goal had an unshackling effect on the proceedings and things got well and truly under way thereafter. Esperance fans, who were there in large numbers, continued their vocal support despite being down and their team responded in the 34th minute when Eneramo used his physical strength to maneuver himself into a shooting position and beat the Gafsa keeper far post with a left footed strike from a very tight angle.

Seven minutes later Eneramo got the chance to double his tally from the penalty spot after Maameri clumsily pulled down Chemmam in the box. The Nigerian calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net and EST held onto the lead till the end of the half.

The second half was largely in favor of the underdogs but their finishing left a lot to be desired. Esperance was conserving the lead rather well and ended up scoring against the run of play when Boughanmi, the Gafsa goalkeeper, came off his line for a clearance but ended up getting lobbed by Henri Bienvenue for what looked to be the knockout punch.

Given the way the match had played out to that point, a 3-1 win for EST would have flattered the team from the capital. They weren’t two goals better than Gafsa yesterday and Gafsa got their just due when Patrick Kazadi found space from himself inside the box and fired a tame yet well placed shot past Kasraoui in the 87th minute. Following some tense moments for the visitors, the final whistle blew and EST rejoiced.

It wasn’t a dominating performance but Esperance managed to hold on and won’t care how the win looked. Now they embark on a month that will see them face old rivals Etoile three times. Their first meeting will be on July 5th for the final of the Tunisian Cup and then they will switch gears and meet twice more in a continental competition (the 12th or 13th of July for the first fixture in Sousse and the 25th or the 26th of July for the return leg in Rades).

Things Worth Mentioning

- In the 26th minute, Club Africain bound Hammouda Maameri was taken down in the box by Mouine Chaabani. It was a legitimate call for a penalty but it was not granted as the linesman judged Hammouda was offside when he received the ball. Replays show this was not the case. These offside decisions have been going the way of the big clubs so far. Let’s hope the final isn’t littered with any mistakes of this kind.

- Henri Bienvenue finally starts earning his paycheck: The Cameroonian was on fire for CAB at the beginning of the year and his goalscoring ability saw him earn a midseason transfer to Esperance. As soon as he put on the red and gold his form dipped dramatically. There was a lot of pressure on him, and there probably still is, but maybe this goal is the one that makes him feel more “Bienvenue” at Taraji.

- If Papa Georges and Patrick Kazadi keep playing like they played yesterday I won’t be surprised to see them move to a bigger club. They both shined and nearly managed to lift their team a historic appearance in the final.

- In the preview I had said Gafsa got relegated this year, I’ve since corrected that as its not the case at all. I was thinking of Gabes when I wrote that. Gafsa finished in 6th place last year. Do forgive me for the mix up.

- Etoile better pay close attention to Eneramo. He outmuscled the Gafsa backline on more than one occasion. I still have that goal he scored earlier in the competition against Club Africain in the back of my mind. Yesterday is just another reminder that you can’t give him daylight.

- Both semifinals were played in good atmospheres with a great deal of fair play. Even though there was a place in the final at stake, the players have exhibited model behavior. Lots of high fives, help ups, and pats on the back going round. Thats what we like to see and may it continue!

Pictures: Here and here. I’m still looking for video highlights. If you come across them please post the link in the comments and I’ll embed them.

Video Update

In Other News

Various Turkish sports sites are reporting Mouine Chaabani of Esperance has signed for Ankaragücü. Can’t say I know anything at all about this team but I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s on the way out. If you had to pick one place Esperance has looked the weakest it is at the back (followed closely by the inconsistent Kasraoui). When Khaled Badra can’t even help you out much, you know you got problems! Chaabani has been heckled by Taraji fans because he’s so mistake prone. If this turns out to be a real transaction, I don’t know who they’re going to incorporate into his place. Even though he hasn’t been incredible, he must be one of their best options because he’s been a starter at that position for a while now. We’ll know if this is confirmed sooner or later.

Meanwhile, a bad start for the Junior National Team today who lost to Mali 1-0 in Sousse. Very dissapointing to lose at home especially if you consider this is one of our most talented generations. I wonder if it has to do with the coach, Mondher Kebaier, who hasn’t been getting any results for us lately! This makes the return leg in Bamako on the 14th of July a tricky affair! Both teams are trying to qualify for next years CAN in Equitorial Guinea.