CSS and Coach Mohamed Kouki Under Pressure Against Espérance
A Crucial Match for the Sfaxiens
Today, only a win can put CSS back on track and bring a smile back to their faces. After 11 matches, including the last one against ST, there are no longer any doubts in the Sfaxiens' camp, and opinions have become unanimous: Coach Mohamed Kouki's playing style has not yielded winning results. He prefers to build successes from a rather cautious position, relying heavily on quick counter-attacks and playing behind the opponent's defense.
This approach has shown its limitations in terms of results, and the team's position in the standings reflects this. It's time for a change, or CSS will be forced to revise its initial objective downward and settle for a spot far from the top four in the championship for the second season in a row.
Who Will Replace Omar Ben Ali?
The question on everyone's mind before today's Classico against Espérance is: Can Mohamed Kouki offer a better collective team expression? With Omar Ben Ali's injury against ST, CSS will be without a key player this afternoon. "Obviously, not being able to count on Omar Ben Ali, our only striker, is a problem," Mohamed Kouki acknowledged. The only alternative he has is to continue trusting Emmanuel Ogbole as the center-forward. Another option, although unlikely, is to start Willy Onana, but his lack of aggressiveness in duels makes this hypothesis unlikely, despite his technical skills.
However, the Ogbole-Onana combination in the starting lineup is hindered by the number of foreign players on the field. Of the four allowed, three are indispensable in Mohamed Kouki's eyes: central defender Kévin Mondeko, midfielder Hasamadou Ouédraogo, and offensive midfielder Travis Mutyaba.
Only one spot remains for a foreign player in the starting lineup, and the odds favor Emmanuel Ogbole. Today, Mohamed Kouki will likely resort to a defensive game, relying on Ali Maâloul's set pieces and Aymen Dahmen's saves to stay alive before trying to catch Espérance off guard.
By Hédi JENNY
