The football scene in Tunisia is filled with notable rivalries and there were two duels over the weekend that brought plenty of passion to the fifth round of the country’s Ligue 1 Professionnelle. Espérance ST travelled to face CS Sfaxien at the Taïeb Mhiri Stadium and one of the club’s new signings provided the winning moment in a 1-0 victory. Brazilian attacker Yan Sasse scored his first goal for the club since joining from Wellington Phoenix after running onto a header from Houssam Ghacha.
EST are tied on ten points at the top of Group B with US Monastir, who came back from two goals down to defeat ES Métlaoui. Malian attacker Boubacar Traoré scored twice after the club from the central coast conceded two goals in the opening twenty-five minutes. Traoré, whose second goal came in the 90th minute, has scored in every match for USM this season and is the top scorer of the league with six goals in four matches.
In the other rivalry match from the weekend there were three red cards in a 1-1 draw between Club Africain and Stade Tunisien. Tunisia national team forward Haythem Jouini put visitors ST into the lead inside the opening five minutes. However five minutes after a red card was given to Hamza Ben Abda in the 79th minute the hosts equalized through Algerian attacker Tayeb Meziani for his first goal since joining from Saudi Pro League side Abha Club. ST trail Group A leaders Olympique Béja by a point after OB won 1-0 at US Ben Guerdane.
All the scores from the weekend are below followed by highlights from four matches including the two derbies.
Scores
Saturday
US Ben Guerdane 0-1 Olympique Béja
EGS Gafsa 1-0 AS Soliman
Sunday
CA Bizertin 1-0 US Tataouine
CS Sfaxien 0-1 Espérance ST
US Monastir 3-2 ES Métlaoui
Club Africain 1-1 Stade Tunisien
Highlights
CS Sfaxien 0-1 Espérance ST
US Monastir 3-2 ES Métlaoui
Club Africain 1-1 Stade Tunisien
US Ben Guerdane 0-1 Olympique Béja