The Three-Win Streak Comes to an End
The series of three victories has come to a halt, leaving a bitter taste after the draw against CAB. The numerical superiority on the field was not exploited by Nafkha's team. More waste and lack of concentration in front of the goal.
A Frustrating Result
La Presse — ESS let two points slip away, given the physiognomy of the match. Being in numerical superiority for most of the match, Etoile failed to seize this opportunity. A feeling of frustration prevails. The only positive note is that Gbo was spared from a serious injury after the strong tackle by CAB's Dridi, who was directly sent to the locker room.
Pre-Match Changes
Before the match, Ben Choug's suspension forced Mohamed Ali Nafkha to opt for the most suitable defensive midfielder to support Jean-Cédric Gbo. The choice fell on Mokhles Chouchane, and the least that can be said is that he provided a mediocre performance with many errors of judgment.
A Few Positives
One of the rare satisfactions is that Gbo (again) turned into a decisive passer on Dhaoui's goal. The only criticism is that he received a third yellow card, which will deprive him of the reception of CSS in the closing of the first phase of the championship. The gradual return to form of Dhaoui, finally a scorer, is a good point for ESS's attack. We can expect more from him in the second half of the season.
Sterile Superiority
Despite numerical superiority from the 8th minute of play, ESS failed to capitalize on its advantage. Despite dominating possession (60%), 6 shots on target (only one of which was successful), and 12 corners, Etoile failed to make a difference. Nafkha was dissatisfied with the result at the end of the match, citing a lack of effectiveness in front of the goal.
Post-Match Conference
He confided in the post-match press conference: "We lost two points in a difficult stadium. And every time Ben Sghaier comes into play, he makes a difference. For me, all players are equal and equivalent to Etoile... We have two weeks to prepare for the match against CSS." This suggests that the players will take a break and prepare ideally for the reception of CSS at the Olimpico de Sousse.
Dhaoui's Awakening
A primary satisfaction for Etoile is Dhaoui's great awakening, as he has found the joy of scoring again. In fact, his last goal with ESS dates back to a match won three years ago, almost to the day, in Bizerte, in the money time, before his exile to Egypt. It seems he likes to score against Bizertins, since he also scored in a friendly match last summer. His goal, assisted by Gbo, speaks for itself, with a pleasant sequence of control, cushioning, and volley. He has regained the technical qualities he is known for and could have even scored a double.
