Espérance ST are flying high and it appears that the Tunisian giants are on the verge of claiming top spot in Tunisia's Ligue 1 Professionnelle following their latest result, a 2-0 victory over US Tataouine on Wednesday.
After experiencing some difficulties with a rotated team last Wednesday in a 1-1 draw with Olympique Béja, there were no such issues for head coach Laurențiu Reghecampf this time who got more out of his squad depth. Left back Mohamed Ben Hamida opened the scoring in the 33rd minute, reacting quickly to direct his header in from a Raed Bouchniba corner kick.
The reigning champions and CAF Champions League quarterfinalists maintained the pressure on hosts Tataouine and doubled their lead just before halftime. Forward Achref Jabri, recalled after an impressive spell on loan at ES Zarzis, calmly collected the ball and finished after a long range effort clattered back off the post. EST are now one point back of league leaders Stade Tunisien who they will face on February 8.
In the other match played on Wednesday, struggling CS Sfaxien got a much needed victory with a 1-0 result over AS Gabès. Despite a first half red card, CSS kept the match scoreless until Firas Sekkouhi's 75th minute penalty kick put the hosts ahead. Another red card to Mohamed Dhaoui "Cristo" reduced CSS to nine players but they held on to move up to 8th place.
League Table (Top-6)
GP | Points | |
Stade Tunisien | 16 | 34 |
Espérance ST | 16 | 33 |
Club Africain | 16 | 33 |
US Monastir | 16 | 33 |
ES Zarzis | 16 | 32 |
Etoile du Sahel | 16 | 30 |
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