Etoile Deals a Blow to Esperance’s Fading Title Hopes

Thanks, Rami for this piece. I truly enjoyed watching this game. It confirmed my earlier remarks about l’Etoile having mastered the game! I don’t think they could have played like that even in Sousse. As I have consistently indicated, there is a world of difference between Balbouli and Kasraoui when it comes to goal keeping. The choice who should be our number one goal keeper was definitely made very clear! Esperance failed terribly in their real test against a good team. Winning against Jendouba, Hammam Lif, etc. is no measure of readiness for the real deal. They still have a lot of work to do. Again, quick fixes do not work over the long term! I know you’re a CA fan and I will try not to offend you, but I really believe the same is true for your favorite team. The next 2 games against Monastir and Sfaxien are going to be decisive. I would not count on their game against l’Etoile in Sousse! For sure that will not be the game to decide the championship this year. Another lesson learned form the EST-ESS game: it makes a hell of a lot of difference who the referee is! Thank God for that very fair, just, and no bull referee from Italy!!!

Rachid, no problem with the comments man as you are consistently respectful. No offense taken One thing is for sure though, CA is in much better shape than EST and has plenty of players in the pipeline (so does Etoile of course). It’s clear that the experience gained during the Champions league run, the ensuing Club World Cup, and African Cup has helped your team immensely. Thats what Club Africain is striving for right now. EST will probably start finding the right recipe for success soon enough but it’ll be something to build on for next season. Unfortunately I missed the game so I can’t really comment on the referee but most accounts say he did a pretty good job. I think I saw one yellow card in the highlights where he thought an Esperance player dove but thats it.

The quality of refereeing in our country is improving but not fast enough… Maybe one day we’ll get our wish and see Balbouli in between the sticks in a Carthage Eagles jersey. Kasraoui isn’t spectacular (he needs to be more confident and more vocal) but the Esperance has a slow backline that can’t cope very well with speedy players. Not the best scenario when Chermiti turns on the turbo thrusters!