Sixth Away Win for Club Africain and Provisional Co-Leadership Achieved, Despite Struggles
La Presse — In pursuit of the leader Espérance, Club Africain traveled to Boujemaa-Kmiti yesterday to face Olympique de Béja, who were revitalized after their recent win against JS Omrane. Meanwhile, the club's deputy had been held to a draw by EST. Two clubs with diametrically opposed ambitions clashed yesterday, with Béja playing for survival and Club Africain potentially rising to the top of the L1 standings with a win. The situation left no doubt about the intentions of the two teams, both interested in securing three points. Hafedh Guitouni versus Faouzi Benzarti, a duel between coaches, would determine the outcome. On a lush green pitch, the match began. After an initial adrenaline rush from Guinean defender Camara, swift and sudden in his anticipation, Club Africain advanced and gained ground.
First Half
10 minutes in, following a chest pass from Chawat, the ball fell to Khadhraoui, whose cross into the box was repelled by axial defender Dhouibi. As the quarter-hour mark approached, both teams played evenly. By the 30th minute, Club Africain's targeted attacks were thwarted by Béja's compact defense. The Béjaois opted for a low defensive block but played on the counter, relying on rapid transitions from defense to attack and exploiting the spaces left behind Club Africain's defenders.
And then Sadok Mahmoud emerged! In the 37th minute, after a rush by Zaalouni and a pass back to Ait Malek, the latter adjusted his shot, but goalkeeper Smaoui deflected it to Khadhraoui, whose blast was blocked by the defensive wall. There was no time for the teams to regroup. Just a minute later, or rather a few seconds, at the 38th minute, Sadok Mahmoud scored with a clear and powerful shot from outside the penalty area, giving Club Africain the lead, which would remain unchanged until the end of the first half.
Second Half
Returning from the break, Olympique de Béja showed improved intentions, but Club Africain also had a response and, more importantly, solid offensive guarantees. However, the pace slowed down around the hour mark, with Club Africain managing the game and Olympique de Béja seemingly lacking the necessary offensive tools to restore balance. Ait Malek missed an easy goal with a crossed header, and the same player chose to serve Chaouat instead of deceiving the Olympique de Béja goalkeeper. In the 88th minute, Olympique de Béja was close to equalizing, but Melki's crossbar shot grazed the Club Africain goalkeeper's post. Olympique de Béja now played all-out, exposing themselves to Club Africain's counterattacks.
The end of the match was thrilling, with six minutes of added time declared by the referee. In the 97th minute, on a lightning-fast counterattack, Chaouat, launched deep, adjusted his shot, and goalkeeper Smaoui stretched to repel it. Club Africain collected three points without convincing, while Olympique de Béja sank further in the standings.
Olympique de Béja Lineup:
- Chahine Smaoui
- Sherif Camara
- Islem Chalghoumi
- Mohamed Amine Dhouibi
- Hedi Haddouchi
- Ayoub Ouji
- Elyes Dhaoui (Youssef Melki)
- Haithem Mbarek (Anicet Ishimwe)
- Firas Fadhli
- Baha Cherni (captain)
- Bechir Hasni (Firas Mahdhaoui)
Club Africain Lineup:
- Mouhib Chamekh
- Ghaith Zaalouni
- Hamza Ben Abda
- Ali Youssef
- Oussema Shili
- Moataz Zemzemi (captain)
- Sadok Mahmoud (Ghaith Sghaier)
- Saidou Khan (Philippe Kinzumbi)
- Hamza Khadhraoui
- Bilel Ait Malek (Charfeddine Aoun)
- Firas Chaouat
