Sfaxian Victory Directly Attributable to Mohamed Kouki’s Relentless Efforts Throughout the Match
Source: La Presse
Context
When the Club Sportif Sfaxien (CSS), coached by Mohamed Kouki, welcomed Union Sportive Monastirienne (USM), led by Tarek Jarraya, the latter – sitting fifth in the league – needed a win to keep alive its hopes of a continental berth.
The Monastir side had been knocked out in Bizerte by CAB in the previous round, so the “classico” was a must‑win to revive their campaign.
For CSS, already a regular podium finisher (third place) and riding a good run of form, another triumph would narrow the gap with the league’s runner‑up club.
Before the whistle, CSS took to the Mustapha Ben Jannet pitch without four key players:
- Ali Maaloul (left‑back)
- Hasamadou Ouédraogo (Burkinabé centre‑back)
- Willy Onana (Cameroonian striker, knee injury)
- Aymen Dahmen (goalkeeper, training contusion)
First Half – A Tight, Balanced Opening
Both teams started energetically, but neither created clear‑cut danger.
| Minute | Event |
|---|---|
| 16’ | CSS’s first genuine chance: Mohamed Trabelsi serves Travis Mutyaba, whose shot is saved by goalkeeper Abdessalem Hlaoui. |
| 22’ | Abdessalem Hlaoui again, this time denying a header from Belwafi after a breakthrough and a pass from Sakouhi. |
| 33’ | Hamza Mathlouthi drives forward, squares the ball to Belwafi, who fails to capitalize. |
| 39’ | USM replies: Djebali launches a cross to Yaakoubi, whose effort is slightly short of Mohamed Ali Jamia. |
| +2’ (added time) | Mutyaba smashes another effort, again saved by the USM keeper. |
Coaching Pays Off – Mohamed Kouki’s Tactical Edge
After the break, Raed Chikhaoui finds Mohamed Ali Jamia, but the goal is ruled out by referee Khaled Gouider after a VAR check by Seif Ouertani.
A half‑hour of sterile duels follows, with no meaningful chances.
With 15 minutes left, both sides appear eager to break the deadlock, yet nothing materialises.
| Minute | Event |
|---|---|
| 76’ | Omar Ben Ali drives into the box; his shot is blocked by Malek Miladi. |
| 78’ | Diané passes to Yassine Amri, whose left‑foot strike finds the bottom corner of the Sfaxian net. VAR review overturns the goal for a foul inside the CSS penalty area. |
| 85’ | Mohamed Trabelsi fires a well‑placed shot, saved by Abdessalem Hlaoui. |
| 86’ | Turning point: Emmanuel Ogbole exploits a defensive lapse, unleashing a left‑footed strike that puts CSS ahead. |
Kouki’s tactical adjustments finally pay dividends, giving the Sfaxian side the lead.
Unusual End‑Game Drama
Extra time is announced – eight minutes are added.
At the 112th minute, the match is abruptly halted; the clock stops and the scoreboard already shows the final score before the referee blows the final whistle.
The abrupt interruption gave the match an “odd” conclusion, but the result stands: Club Sportif Sfaxien secures three points, keeping its continental aspirations alive.
Line‑ups
USM (Union Sportive Monastirienne)
- Goalkeeper: Abdessalem Hlaoui
- Defenders: Raed Bouchniba, Malek Miladi, Raed Chikhaoui, Youssef Herch (Aymen Ben Mohamed)
- Midfielders: Yassine Dridi, Ousmane Diané, Chaim El Djebali (Adem Boulila), Adnene Yaakoubi (Brahim Gadiaga), Mehdi Gannouni (Yassine Amri)
- Forwards: Fakhreddine Ben Youssef
CSS (Club Sportif Sfaxien)
- Goalkeeper: Mohamed Ali Jamia
- Defenders: Hamza Mathlouthi, Youssef Habchia, Kevin Mundeko, Hichem Baccar, Rayan Derbali, Firas Sakouhi
- Midfielders/Forwards: Travis Mutyaba, Mohamed Trabelsi, Iyed Belwafi (Emmanuel Ogbole), Omar Ben Ali
SEO‑Friendly Summary
Club Sportif Sfaxien clinched a hard‑fought victory over Union Sportive Monastirienne thanks to coach Mohamed Kouki’s strategic adjustments and a decisive goal by Emmanuel Ogbole in extra time. The win bolsters CSS’s push for a continental spot while USM’s continental hopes remain uncertain.
Keywords: Club Sportif Sfaxien, Union Sportive Monastirienne, Mohamed Kouki, extra time, VAR decision, Tunisian football, continental qualification, CSS victory.
