Espérance Sportive de Tunis claimed their 16th Tunisian Cup title on Sunday with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Stade Tunisien, ending a nine-year drought in the competition.
The decisive moment came in the 64th minute when Nigerian midfielder Onuche Ogbelu unleashed a stunning 30-yard strike that flew past goalkeeper Sami Helal.
The goal initially raised questions over a potential offside interference from Mohamed Amine Tougai, who appeared to obstruct the keeper’s line of sight.
However, following a video assistant referee (VAR) review, referee Oussema Ben Ishak allowed the goal to stand, sparking jubilant celebrations among the Espérance players and supporters.
It was a moment of brilliance in an otherwise tightly contested final, with both sides creating opportunities in a game marked by intensity and high stakes.
Espérance, who last lifted the trophy in 2016, looked determined from the outset.
Brazilian midfielder Yan Sasse nearly opened the scoring in the 28th minute with a powerful header that skimmed just past the post.
Later in the match, Mohamed Wael Derbali squandered a golden chance to double the lead when he found himself unmarked in front of goal but failed to convert.
Despite conceding, Stade Tunisien, the defending champions, showed resilience and created chances of their own.
Khalil Ayari stood out with his individual efforts, most notably in the 52nd minute when he beat three defenders before seeing his shot graze the outside of the post.
Ayari had one final opportunity deep into stoppage time, stepping up for a free kick in the 97th minute, but his effort sailed over the crossbar, sealing the fate of his side.
With this win, Espérance secure a historic domestic double—adding the Tunisian Cup to their league title—for the first time since 2011, reaffirming their dominance in Tunisian football under the guidance of their current leadership.
For Stade Tunisien, the loss marks a missed opportunity to retain their crown.
However, their campaign ends on a somewhat positive note as they earn qualification for the CAF Confederation Cup, offering a chance to regroup and aim for continental success next season.
Espérance’s triumph will be remembered not only for ending a near-decade-long wait for silverware in the Cup but also for a moment of individual brilliance that turned the tide in their favour.
