Stade Tunisien secured a 2-1 victory over CS Sfaxien in a pivotal match that saw them leapfrog US Monastir to take the top spot in the Tunisian Ligue 1 standings.
The match, held on Thursday afternoon, was a delayed fixture from the 11th round of the season and proved to be a decisive encounter for both sides.
Stade Tunisien arrived in Sfax with clear intentions: to win and take over the league’s leadership.
They dominated proceedings from the outset, taking an early lead in the 16th minute.
Zied Berrima opened the scoring with a precise diving header, expertly set up by Bilel Mejri, who had been fed the ball by Yusuf Touré, bypassing the Sfaxian defenders.
The visitors extended their lead just before halftime when Hédi Khalfa capitalized on a defensive lapse from CS Sfaxien.
Khalfa’s goal in the 41st minute put Stade Tunisien firmly in control, as goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen was left exposed by his defenders’ poor positioning.
Facing a 2-0 deficit, CS Sfaxien came out for the second half with renewed determination, opting for a more aggressive pressing strategy.
This tactic paid off early when Stade Tunisien’s Yusuf Touré fouled an opposing player inside the penalty area, leading the referee to award a penalty to Sfaxien.
Mohamed Absi confidently converted the spot-kick in the 52nd minute, giving the hosts a glimmer of hope for a comeback.
Despite this setback, Stade Tunisien remained composed and resolute in defense, ensuring that their advantage was never seriously threatened.
The Sfaxien attack struggled to break down the disciplined Stade Tunisien backline, with the visitors controlling the game as the match progressed.
The final whistle saw Stade Tunisien claim a crucial victory, moving to the top of the Ligue 1 table, overtaking US Monastir, who had held the position previously.
Stade Tunisien’s consistency and strong performance this season have propelled them to the summit, as they continue to challenge for the title.
For CS Sfaxien, the defeat adds to their recent struggles, leaving them with much to address as they seek to recover from a difficult period.
