It Won't Be Easy This Time for ES Zarzis to Return Victorious from Their Perilous Trip to Métlaoui
The Press — It's been a strange week for coach Anis Boujelbène and his team, who are at a loss for what to do. The damage assessment is severe and unprecedented. The sanction has been handed down: loss of the interrupted match against ASM, three matches behind closed doors on neutral ground, and a fine of 20,000 dinars. They have also lost the match on the field against ESS and three key players (goalkeeper Charfi, midfielder Chouchen, and striker Nshuti) who received three direct red cards. This is a real disaster for a team that started the season well and risks a steep decline and disappointing future. Long spared from criticism, Anis Boujelbène is now in the spotlight of the supporters. He is being blamed for "losing control" in the match against Etoile. The attacking duo (Rahmani - Ogoh) that has always brought joy to the Zarzis fans was benched in the first half! If Anis Boujelbène preferred to start with Nshuti - Jertila to surprise the Etoile team, it was a real fiasco. Pushed back to their last defenses, ESZ suffered the pressure from Etoile, conceded a goal, lost goalkeeper Charfi and Nshuti in the first half. Reduced to nine players in the second half, although they showed a better face, they failed to overcome their handicap.
An Imperative Reaction
For this second trip in a few days, this time to face the Bassin minier team, Anis Boujelbène should put his team back in order. We expect him to return to a logical team composition, starting with the duo Stanley Ogoh - Noemen Rahmani to press high against Ben Younès' team and avoid being overtaken and forced to chase the score. In goal, Hamza Ghanmi will replace Seifeddine Charfi. In midfield, Khalil Kassab will replace Moatez Chouchen. And Mohamed Hédi Jertila will return to the bench as a substitute. Fortunately, the "Sang et Or" of Zarzis have a well-stocked squad, otherwise they would have struggled to line up a balanced team after the three red cards. Only the three points they are used to bringing back from away games can mitigate the extent of the damage. Do Anis Boujelbène and his team have the necessary mindset to make the best of a bad situation, heal their wounds, and bounce back stronger? This will be the big unknown in a match open to all predictions.
