Gafsa Hands Club Africain a Lifeline

May 4th, 2008 | By: Rami | 7 Comments »

Club Africain entered today’s match against Marsa knowing that winning was their only option if they wanted to stay in the hunt for the league title. Even though the players didn’t put forth a great performance, they got the three points they craved thanks to an uncharacteristic Zouheir Dhaouadi header which ended up in the back of the net.

Once the match was over, all eyes and ears turned to Sousse where Etoile was surprisingly being held in check by Gafsa. The league leaders wasted a plethora of chances, including a penalty kick by Afouane Gharbi and a point blank shot by Ogunbiyi that somehow made its way over the bar. When the final whistle sounded on that match, the Clubiste fans erupted into festivities that would have made you think they already won the title!

The truth of the matter is though, there’s two matches left and the rivals are tied on points, with Etoile still in first place thanks to their superior goal difference. The Sahel still controls it’s fate but that final match against Esperance looks a lot trickier than it did a few days ago. Club Africain will face none other than Gafsa (who will be without their first choice keeper after his expulsion today) next and will hope that they don’t share the same fate as the team they are trying to dethrone. ESS will look to bounce back in their next fixture versus Gabes and will benefit from the influential returns of Souheil Berradhia on the right side of defense and Majdi Traoui in midfield. The race continues…

Club Africain versus Marsa Highlights

Best part of this is Youssef Mouihbi listening to the radio postmatch waiting on the final score from Etoile-Gafsa (highlights of that game can be found here). It’s good news for CA fans but there’s still a long way to go if they want to lift the title. I fully expect expect Etoile to bounce back strongly after this disappointment. I think that trip to Zimbabwe took a lot out of them and some rest will do them good. Best of luck to both teams and let’s hope its stays exciting to the very end!

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The Tunis Derby Revisited

On Thursday, 104th edition of the Tunis Derby was played. Club Africain managed to defeat Esperance 1-0 thanks to great work by Zouheir Dhaouadi that lead to a Chaabani own goal. If you missed it, check here for an interesting five minute interview with Mouihbi and Hammi followed by highlights of the derby. Second part of the highlights can be found here.

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Comments

By Rachid | May 4th, 2008 at 6:42 pm

Rami, congratulations on joining l’Etoile for first place! It’s definitely going to be down to the wire! Gafsa (aka, Falloujah) may end up deciding who the champions are this year. If they beat CA and if ESS beats Stayda, then it’ll be over. If CA beats Gafsa and ESS beats Stayda, then it may be Esperance deciding! I think it’s great that everbody stays on their toes until the last day. I notice in other countries (eg, Egypt) the championship sometimes gets decided 5 or even more games ahead of schedule; that’s no fun. I think l’Etoile made a mistake by letting Gafsa play in Sousse last Thursday. It seems they got too comfortable in the field! Not sure why everyone plays like hell when against l’Etoile. I guess when you’re number one, everyone wants a piece of your ass!! Anyway, it’s not over until the fat lady sings. Good luck to everyone; it’s just a game after all!!!

By Yassine | May 5th, 2008 at 6:13 am

ESS wasted 2 important points today, I thought that it wasn’t a problem because of the goal average which is better for us, but apparently CA and Zine El Abidine El Waslaty are doing everything in their power to convince everyone that if the season ends with the same number of points for the 2 teams, CA are champions thanks to the direct confrontations (0-0 in Menzeh, 2-2 in Sousse). They even threatened to take the matter to FIFA itself.
FTF’ rules state clearly that in case of a tie, goal average decides who the champion is.
Don’t forget that the FIFA clubs world cup and the African CL are the main reasons why ESS isn’t champion yet.
Good Luck and may the really best team win.

By Rachid | May 5th, 2008 at 7:00 am

El Wislaty is a CRY BABY!!! He is always complaining about something. L’Etoile are the champions in a case of a tie in the number of points, that’s the final answer. Let’s wait to see how CA does against Gafsa, and may be we won’t have to worry about anything. Let’s not count the chickens before they hatch!!!

By Moni | May 5th, 2008 at 4:03 pm

I like the ESS team more then the CA, CA showed during the year poor football in African Champions league and also there performance in the League A isn’t the type of level that ESS showed (in all competions) even when losing so many important players, SBF,Ghezel,Chika they stayed top-level in tunisian foot. ESS deserve the title more on there peformance then CA. For the record : I’m not an ESS fan.

Posted from Netherlands

By Moni | May 5th, 2008 at 4:04 pm

Forza Stade Tunisie

Posted from Netherlands

By Rami | May 5th, 2008 at 8:55 pm

If we end up winning the title, I won’t care whether we really deserved it or not (clearly I think we do) but it is true that Etoile raised the bar in terms of consistency and style. I cheered for them all throughout their Champions League run and at the Club World Cup blogging about them along the way. So I kind of grew a soft spot for that team, it’s players, and its coach. It’s weird saying that as a CA fan but really how can I be angry at a Tunisian team doing so well? If they falter and we take home the title to Beb Jdid then great, if not then there’s no dishonor in coming second to a team such as Etoile. None at all Thanks for the sportsmanship guys, we’re all about fair play hehe. And yea, Weslati is just talking shit I think. If we win, it shouldn’t be through some backdoor politics. FIFA would probably laugh at him…

Tunisie en force!

By Fahd | May 7th, 2008 at 2:22 pm

This is Great I realy am enjoying the suspense here and again who ever wins the title deserves it. Hopfully next year the championship is more exiting this will only be benefitial for tunisian foortball.

FAIR PLAY AT LEAST IN OUR OWN COUNTRY INSHALLAH!!!!!

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