Crucial Match Against ST: CSS Coach Mohamed Kouki Counts on Mondeko, Baccar, and Hamza Mathlouthi for Third Consecutive Win
The CSS team is gearing up for a crucial match against ST, and coach Mohamed Kouki is relying heavily on the return of Mondeko, Baccar, and the potential debut of Hamza Mathlouthi to secure a third consecutive win and maintain their upward trajectory.
Recent Performance Against ASS
The CSS team's victory against ASS in the tenth round, although not a result of clear dominance, provided some reassuring signs. The team's key players were able to salvage the situation even when the collective performance was struggling to establish a coherent and effective game.
Heroic Performance by Aymen Dahmen and Ali Mâaloul
Against Soliman, goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen played a crucial role in preventing his teammates from conceding in the first half, making several decisive saves. Ali Mâaloul also made a significant contribution, scoring two goals from well-taken free kicks, which were converted by Mohamed Amine Ben Ali and Omar Ben Ali.
Debut of Hamza Mathlouthi
Hamza Mathlouthi is set to make his championship debut after a long period of rehabilitation, although it is unclear whether he will start or come on as a substitute. With the absence of Youssef Habchia due to a third yellow card and Mohamed Amine Ben Ali due to a serious injury (six months out with a cruciate ligament injury), Mohamed Kouki is still hesitant about the composition of the central axis.
Friendly Match Against Zaouïa
In a friendly match against Zaouïa, played during the week in Sfax before a four-day training camp in Sousse, Mohamed Kouki started with the Mondeko-Ben Khedher duo before giving Hamza Mathlouthi some playing time. The match ended 2-0 in favor of CSS, with goals from Sakkouhi and Ogbole.
Team Selection
Hichem Baccar is expected to return to his left-back position, while Rayan Derbali and Mohamed Ali Mhadhebi are competing for the right-back spot. In midfield, Hasamad or Ouédraogo will play as a sentinel, with Mohamed Trabelsi and Travis Mutyaba as attacking midfielders. The coach also has options like Sakkouhi, Tayfour, and Absi to bring on as substitutes.
Striker Conundrum
The biggest headache for Mohamed Kouki is the selection of the three strikers. Iyed Belwafi has lost his spark, Emmanuel Ogbole is not scoring, and Willy Onana is inconsistent. Mohamed Ameur Jouini, who returned to CSS this season after a good spell at ASG, has not convinced Mohamed Kouki with his performance in the friendly match against the Libyan club. However, Omar Ben Ali, who did not participate in that match, is expected to start as the center-forward, and Mohamed Kouki is counting on him to be the player who can create danger and score the decisive goal at any moment.
