Espérance win third consecutive Tunisian Cup

2008-07-07

Espérance bested ES Sahel on Saturday in Radès to win the Tunisian Cup football tournament for the third straight year. The competition was stiff, but two goals by striker Hicham Aboucherouane brought Espérance out on top.

By Mona Yahia for Magharebia in Tunis – 07/07/08

[Mona Yahia] Espérance set a record on Saturday when the club won its 12th Tunisian Cup. Fans were delighted with the result, the team's third consecutive cup win.

The 2007-2008 Tunisian Cup football season came to a close Saturday (July 5th), with Espérance posting a 2-1 victory over ES Sahel and securing their third consecutive national title. Moroccan international Hicham Aboucherouane scored both goals for Espérance, while Amar Jamal cut the deficit for ES Sahel in the 18th minute.

With this title, Espérance's 13th (12th since independence in 1956), the club was awarded permanent ownership of the Cup trophy. They also officially surpassed Club Africain's 11 titles to set a new record for Cup victories. Espérance also hold the record for league championships, with 20 titles.

The match wasn't easy for the two teams. ES Sahel, who lost the league title to Club Africain in the final round, had hoped to secure the Cup. Meanwhile Espérance, on shaky ground after several changes in coaching and playing staff this season, weren't betting on the league from the very beginning. They too focused on the cup title.

After a slow start to the match, Espérance striker Hicham Aboucherouane scored the opening goal on a direct free-kick that evaded ES Sahel goalkeeper Aymen Mathlouthi.

ES Sahel, who adopted a 4-4-2 plan, found difficulties in getting the ball out of their own zone. In the 18th minute, ES Sahel's Mehdi Meriah passed the ball deep into Espérance territory. Espérance goalkeeper Hamdi Kasraoui couldn't hold the ball because Amar Jamal intervened with him and netted the ball home after handling it with his hand. However, the referee didn't see the foul and ruled for the goal, despite challenges from Espérance players.

The rhythm of the match increased in the second half, and ES Sahel pressed to take the lead. They were actually able to score a goal in the 61st minute, but the referee dismissed it due to hands. In the 80th minute, Aboucherouane tapped in a second goal for Espérance on a strong shot, securing the final 2-1 result.

In total, the German referee ruled out three goals scored by ES Sahel; one for offside, another for handling the ball with hands, and the third because of a foul committed by Ben Dhifallah against Espérance's goalkeeper; something that infuriated ES Sahel players and fans who pulled out the stadium seats, set some vehicles parked near the stadium on fire, and also set the nearby Radès forest ablaze.

After the match, Espérance assistant coach Maher Kanzari said, "We were able to win the title thanks to our fans, and I dedicate this title to them."

Espérance's Mouin Chaabani said, "The match wasn't easy; it was a final against a strong opponent, one of the best teams in Tunisia this season."

As for Hicham Aboucherouane, who scored the two goals for Espérance and who was chosen man of the match, he said, "I consider this title to be the best gift we can give to Espérance fans. This final will certainly remain in my memory. I'm happy that I contributed to winning this title for Espérance."

After the match, thousands of Espérance fans took to the streets to celebrate the title. Vehicles carrying red-and-yellow flags roamed the streets. In the Bab Souika area and neighbouring districts, considered strong Espérance territory, fans celebrated everywhere, especially as the team and management arrived at club headquarters carrying the cup.

Zied, an Espérance fan, said, "This is a historic title for Espérance. We, as fans, thank Hicham Aboucherouane, because if it hadn't been for him, we couldn't have scored this win."