Club: Esperance Country: Tunisia Coach: Maher Kanzari Captain: Group: D Opponents: Chelsea (England), Flamengo (Brazil), Los Angeles FC (USA)
Club: Esperance
Country: Tunisia
Coach: Maher Kanzari
Captain:
Group: D
Opponents: Chelsea (England), Flamengo (Brazil), Los Angeles FC (USA)
Fixtures
MD1: Flamengo v Esperance
MD2: Los Angeles FC v Esperance
MD3: Esperance v Chelsea
Esperance Tunis has enjoyed success in Tunisia and on the African continent since the year 2000, when they lost the CAF Champions League finals against Ghanaian giants Accra Hearts of Oak. The Tunisians keep on winning domestically, having won the Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 in 8 out of the last 9 seasons.
The club decided to replace Romanian manager Laurentiu Reghecampf in November 2024 with the experienced Tunisian coach Maher Kanzari, who changed the club’s fortunes after a shaky start to the season. The Tunisians quickly reunited with Algerian playmaker Youcef Belaili from MC Alger to create an already rich and talented squad that finished as runner-up in the 2023-24 CAF Champions League, where they lost 1-0 on aggregate to Al Ahly.
The club’s only defeat in the last games was a 1-0 defeat in Pretoria against Sundowns in the quarter final of the CAF Champions League.
Brazilian duo Yann Sasse and Rodrigo Rodrigues are game changers that opponents must be watchful of. South African forward Elias Mokwana, who joined in 2024 in a deal worth nearly $400k from Sekhukhune, has integrated well, although his numbers are not encouraging in terms of goals and assists, but he remains a threat. Young goalkeeper Memmiche and the experienced Bechir Ben Said are two top Tunisian goalkeepers who have been in a tough competition for the number one slot, and whoever wins the trust of Kanzari must prepare for Chelsea and Flamengo’s great attack. Nigerian midfielder Onuche Ogbelu, who has been one of the club’s best players since joining from Nasawara in 2023, is expected to lead their midfield alongside the ever-present Khalil Guenichi.
Esperance’s strength is their back four, which boasts of incredible defenders like Yassine Meriah and Mohamed Amine Tougai in the centre back role, with Ben Hamida and Bouchniba occupying the laterals.
Maher Kazri has spoken profoundly of his side as they look forward to expressing themselves to the football world. “My side does not cower in front of any opponent,” Kanzari said when he met the press.
Esperance’s Full squad
Goalkeepers: Bechir Ben Said, Amanallah Memmiche, Mohamed Sedki Debchi
Defenders: Yassine Meriah, Mohamed Amine Tougai, Hamza Jelassi, Raed Bouchniba, Mohamed Ben Ali, Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida, Ayman Ben Mohamed
Midfielders: Onuche Ogbelu, Khalil Guenichi, Chiheb Jebali, Mohamed Wael Derbali, Houssem Tka, Abdramane Konate, Yan Sasse, Youcef Belaili, Elias Mokwana
Forwards: Achref Jabri, Rodrigo Rodrigues,
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