ES Sahel Struggles to Finish Matches, Risks Instability
The Etoile Sportive du Sahel has a knack for poorly ending its matches, just as it poorly starts them. At this rate, the team risks experiencing a prolonged period of instability.
A Disappointing Start for Mohamed Ali Nafkha
The interlude with Mohamed Ali Nafkha has begun on a sour note with this unfortunate defeat in Tanzania. A dull match, especially in the first half, pitted the ES Sahel team against the Sudanese team Ahli Wad Madani. The first period ended with a goalless draw.
From the ES Sahel side, there was hardly anything noteworthy, except for two missed opportunities by Diao and Aouani. These two actions summarize the team's offensive shortcomings throughout the match.
A Lackluster First Half
In the first half, the substitution of Bouzaâbia for Naouali gave the defense a scare, despite Slim Khadhraoui's efforts to create an advantage in the offensive phase. Mohamed Adam Ouertani, in turn, made mistakes in his game, committing fouls in the middle of the field, which earned him a yellow card from the Congolese referee Louis Muamba.
A Mediocre Performance
The match was mediocre for Nafkha's team, which must focus on attacking in the return leg to make up for the deficit. During this match, midfielder Fadi Ben Choug, who was rather subdued, gave up his place in the 55th minute. He and Rayan Anan failed to negotiate set pieces effectively.
Offensive Sterility
In the second half, the attack still hadn't found its rhythm, despite the ES Sahel team creating an illusion with a disallowed goal due to a previous foul. The substitution of Dhaoui had the merit of reviving the team's offensive ardor, particularly on counter-attacks, but without any consequence on the score.
A Disappointing End to the Match
The entries of Al Qalib and Chaâbani did not change the situation against the Sudanese representative. Al Qalib made a few incursions without results, and the match ended with a Scottish shower, as the team conceded a goal on a counter-attack in the final minutes. A poorly negotiated corner with Cristo, a frozen defense, and a Sudanese player, Khaled Sinja, who outpaced the ES Sahel team, put an end to their hopes of returning with a draw from Tanzania.
A Few Positives
However, Sabri Ben Hassen made three crucial saves in two minutes of play. Another notable aspect is that the ES Sahel forwards did not take advantage of the opportunities conceded by the Sudanese team in Tanzania.
Lack of Lucidity and Approximations
Nothing seemed to work for the ES Sahel team, except for the defense, which repelled the Sudanese attacks for a long time, with Ben Hassen being almost unbeatable on his line and Bouzaâbia being sober in recovery and relaunching. Even Ouertani finished the match better than he started it, although the red card he received in the last minute of the match somewhat marred his performance in midfield.
A Challenging Start for Nafkha
For his first match, Nafkha did not do better than Lassaâd Dridi. He will have to make amends in the return leg and ensure that the players gain in accuracy, especially since the heat or long distance are no longer considered mitigating circumstances. Moreover, the Sudanese club has not participated in an African club cup for 42 years and is not a war machine. The ES Sahel team will have to regain its composure in a week during the return match in Tunisia.
