Tunisia Ligue 1: US Monastir defeat Club Africain, move into second

Photo Credit: US Monastir

While a Tunisian Classico victory has defending champions Espérance in pole position, US Monastir are not a team to count out with Tunisia's Ligue 1 Professionnelle beginning its final stretch.

USM overcame fellow top five side Club Africain on Thursday, earning a hard fought 1-0 victory to secure second place on the table. CA right back Kenneth Semakula received two yellow cards in the first half, giving hosts Monastir an opportunity after the Ugandan received his marching orders.

Five minutes later USM took advantage. After a clearance from the Club Africain defense beyond the edge of their penalty area, Monastir forward Aymen Harzi was waiting to unleash a low hard shot that left CA goalkeeper Ghaith Yeferni with no chance.

The match was an opportunity for either team to claim second place and it was Monastir who seized the moment. Elsewhere on Thursday, there were victories for struggling Stade Tunisien as well as in form side CS Sfaxien. Nacef Atoui's 3rd minute goal snapped a seven-match winless streak in the league for Stade Tunisien who are now in 6th place after their 1-0 victory over US Ben Guerdane.

The league will resume on Saturday with leaders Espérance in action at AS Gabès while Etoile du Sahel host a tricky opponent in the form of CA Bizertin.

League Table (Top-5)

	GP	Points
Espérance ST	22	48
US Monastir	22	46
Etoile du Sahel	22	45
Club Africain	22	43
ES Zarzis	22	41