The Press — When a Popular and Prestigious Club Falters, It's Not Pretty. It's Terrible for Its Fans.
This rule applies to all renowned clubs that have gone through tough times after years of glory. Such is the case of Etoile, which has hit rock bottom in recent seasons. Even the 2023 interlude, where they won the championship title, was short-lived. Etoile is struggling, and its structures are becoming obsolete and ineffective. This bitter elimination in the preliminary round of the CAF Cup against a modest and unknown club is a reflection of what Etoile is currently experiencing: bad luck, curse, poor player quality, an outdated and inexperienced coach, a disconnected and stubborn club president, internal tensions, and a toxic atmosphere.
A Team in Shambles
When you watch the return match, you get an idea of the "mediocrity" of many Etoile players. Even names like Aouani, Hnid, Dhaoui, or Gbo, supposed to have a minimum of personality and professionalism, have sunk. The countless bad passes, lost duels, choppy play, poorly prepared actions, placement errors, and heavy legs are monstrous. Before discussing strategy and financial balance, you need to have an idea of the value of the existing players (the key capital of any team). Well, it's very low, with many recruitments, but almost all of them failed. Etoile cannot maintain its standing and prestige by relying on such players. Before talking about stress and pressure, you need to look at the technical quality.
Questionable Leadership
But who brought in these recruits? Who did the scouting? Who validated them? The way the Etoile players took penalties says a lot about their worth and mentality. They were afraid, they coordinated their gestures poorly when taking the shot, and, in all this, another defeat for an Etoile that suffers. And what about Zoubeir Beya? Being an ex-international player is not enough to be a good club president. The one who insists on denouncing any contrary opinion, any criticism of his choices, must fully assume responsibility and mobilize for his club. He who had the absurd idea of dismissing Mohamed Mkacher, who almost won the title last season with an average squad and taking the team from the bottom of the table.
A Club in Danger
Etoile is a monument in danger, since its patrons, great leaders, and vital forces have gradually abandoned it. Popularity, a fairly prosperous economic region, numerous cadres, prestige, but all this is worth little when there are no competent men and women to lead things and prepare for the future. The scandals, financial crises, and enormous debts due to misplaced and suspicious choices have finally made Etoile sick. Gentlemen like Othmane Jenayeh or Moez Driss have decided to leave the scene, as have patrons, leaving a void that the new leaders have not filled. At the moment, Beya's office must wake up and reframe the club before it's too late. It's chaos at Etoile, which can only be revived by its children and lieutenants.
