A New Generation of Players Emerges
Indeed, we are only at the first preliminary round, but the signs are clear: a new group of players is forming, and their performance is revealing promising signs that allow us to look forward to the African stage.
A Positive Competition
The Press — Beyond the result, which is logical, the richness of the squad at EST has established a positive competition de facto. Moreover, the positions have become so valuable that we tend to forget some players, only to rediscover them, like Raed Bouchniba, who scored the qualifying goal for the Club World Cup in Pretoria on April 26, 2024, and was incorporated into the game yesterday (but couldn't do much due to lack of playing time).
In the right-back position, the competition is fierce. Mohamed Ben Ali and Ibrahima Keita are blocking the way with their offensive contributions, thanks to their regular climbs. Moreover, Ibrahima Keita was one of the architects of the victory against the Nigerien Armed Forces Sports Association yesterday evening in the return match of the first preliminary round of the African C1, tripling the score before Abdramane Konaté (who assisted on the first two goals) provoked a penalty, converted by Yassine Meriah in added time.
Diakité and Danho: Players Who Are Making a Name for Themselves
Author of a double in Niamey, Aboubacar Diakité, an 18-year-old Malian center-forward, may not have scored in the return match, but he had the merit of heavily weighing on the Nigerien defense. With regular playing time, Diakité can be a good backup for the latest arrival, Florian Danho, who scored on his first appearance in the "blood and gold" colors against OB and will qualify for the Champions League from the second preliminary round.
However, it is clear that Achref Jabri is far from the excellent level he presented throughout last season. Jabri may be a good player, but he needs time to regain his prowess from last year. Until he regains his famous prowess and the coach gives him regular playing time in championship matches, the hierarchy at the forefront of the attack wants Florian Danho to be a starter and Aboubacar Diakité his replacement.
A Competitive Midfield
In the midfield, Onuche Ogbelu has been imposing himself since the Club World Cup as a key piece of this compartment, and it's worth putting in the effort to keep him. In this compartment, Chiheb Jebali and the returning Houssem Tka complete the puzzle.
In short, a group of competitive players at the African level. There is reason to be reassured until the group stage of the African C1, with some adjustments in the winter market according to the coach's targeted needs.
