Final-day thriller sends ES Tunis and Sfaxien into African competitions

Espérance Sportive de Tunis secured qualification for next season’s CAF Champions League after a narrow 1-0 victory over Union Sportive de Ben Guerdane on the final day of the Tunisian Ligue 1 season.

The decisive result on Thursday confirmed ES Tunis in second place with 63 points, ensuring the club will return to Africa’s premier club competition despite missing out on the domestic league title to Club Africain last week.

Hamza Rafia scored the only goal of the match in the 38th minute, giving Espérance a vital advantage in a tense encounter where qualification for continental football remained at stake until the final whistle.

The victory completed an important objective for the Tunis club following disappointment in the title race.

Having already seen Club Africain crowned champions, Espérance entered the final round knowing that anything less than victory could place their continental ambitions under threat.

Rafia’s first-half strike ultimately proved enough to settle the contest and secure the club’s place among Tunisia’s representatives in next season’s CAF Champions League.

While ES Tunis celebrated qualification for the continent’s top club tournament, Club Sportif Sfaxien also enjoyed a successful evening after confirming their place in the CAF Confederation Cup with a convincing home victory over Étoile Sportive du Sahel.

Playing at the Taïeb Mhiri Stadium, Sfaxien defeated their rivals 3-1 in one of the standout fixtures of the final round.

The hosts made a dream start to the match when Omar Ben Ali opened the scoring in the opening minute, immediately placing CS Sfaxien in control of the encounter.

The early goal set the tone for an aggressive attacking performance that continued throughout the first half.

Ben Ali struck again in the 29th minute to double his side’s advantage and strengthen Sfaxien’s grip on the match.

Étoile Sportive du Sahel struggled to contain the attacking pressure, with the home side continuing to create opportunities as the half progressed.

Just before the interval, Ali Maaloul converted a penalty in stoppage time to make it 3-0 and effectively put the result beyond doubt before half-time.

Étoile Sportive du Sahel managed to reduce the deficit in the 82nd minute through Oussema Abid, but the late goal did little to change the outcome as Sfaxien comfortably protected their advantage to secure an important victory.

The result ensured CS Sfaxien finished the campaign in third place with 62 points, enough to qualify for the next edition of the CAF Confederation Cup.

The final day of the Tunisian Ligue 1 season therefore confirmed the country’s representatives for continental competition after a closely contested battle for qualification places.

Espérance de Tunis will now turn their attention towards preparing for another CAF Champions League campaign, while Sfaxien return to continental football through the Confederation Cup after successfully securing third place.

The closing stages of the season had produced intense competition near the top of the table, with several clubs still fighting for continental qualification entering the final round.

Thursday’s results finally brought clarity to that race and confirmed the final standings.

For ES Tunis, qualification represents an opportunity to quickly move beyond the disappointment of losing the league title.

For Sfaxien, the strong final-day performance highlighted the club’s determination to finish the season positively and secure a return to African competition.

The conclusion of the season now sets the stage for both clubs