The Agony and The Ecstasy

Etoile Du Sahel Fails in Defending Champions League Crown

In a game where they did everything but put the ball in the net, Etoile took it’s leave prematurely from the champions league. The 1-0 away defeat in Zimbabwe looked very much surmountable at the start of this match but the posts and crossbars weren’t kind to the Sahelis who wasted a majestic performance by Souheil Berradhia.

After watching Club Africain lose the previous day, I was ready to throw all my support behind Etoile like last year when they lifted the title and honored Tunisia with their displays at the Club World Cup. Unfortunately for all Tunisians, not a single team from our country remains in the Champions league. This is the first time in our history that it has happened at this early stage. Etoile will now turn it’s attention to the Confederations Cup and the domestic league where they will hope their extended goal drought will end. People are starting to ask questions about how Marchand’s teams finish seasons…

Club Africain Loses With Honor

After the 5-1 away result in the Nigerians favor, Club Africain was facing an exceptionally difficult task. Scoring four goals doesn’t happen every day but anyone who watched the match could tell you that there were even more goals than that in this one for the Red and White outfit. The perfect opening scenario materialized when Borhen Ghannem put away a Sellami cross with only three minutes on the clock.

Unfortunately for us, 20 shots on target later and 60 percent ball possession, the score stood at 2-1. Nevertheless, CA comes out of this game with it’s head held high as they know in their heart of hearts that they were wronged in Nigeria and came closer than the final score indicates in Tunis. Bilel Ifa, Karim Aouadhi, and Helmi Hmem outdid themselves and most of them were playing in positions they are not accustomed to. The fans also deserve a salute for being such good sports and for cheering their boys as well as Eniyimba off the pitch when all was said and done. Let’s hope better luck awaits them in the Confederation Cup.

CSS Still in the Hunt to Repeat As Champions

CSS survived a nervy end to their 2-1 win to go through on the away goals rule against 10 man Saint Louis. Goals from Souma Nabe and Basi Silla were enough to ensure the Sfaxiens get a chance to defend their title further into this competition.

Considering their bumpy run in the domestic league, they really could not afford to lose this one in front of their fans. Now they just need to work on putting away more of the chances they create. Saying that is kind of getting old, as three out of the four Tunisian teams in these African competitions would have benefited greatly from more efficiency in front of goal. The most important thing is that Khaled Ben Yahia has this team playing the type of soccer that deserted them mid season.

A Touch of Brasilian Spice for Esperance

Cabral must have brought some goal potion with him from South America because Esperance went on a scoring frenzy in this stunning 6-1 win. Talk about paying instant dividends!

The summary: two goals from Aboucherouane, two goals from Chaabani (not bad for a central defender!), one for Derbali, and one for the goalkeeper, Kasraoui! Hamdi must have treasured that moment as the fans chanted his name and basically asked him to take it. He stepped up and dispatched it with a strikers efficiency. The fans from the capital have been suffering recently but this must have felt like ecstasy (see what I did there?)

So there you have it, a year with no Champions League for us but one where we have very strong chances of making sure the Confederation Cup Stays in Tunis. Highlights of all the matches available here in the latest Dimanche Sport through the one and only Beurkman.