Latest news with #EsperancedeTunis
Al-Ahram Weekly
02-08-2025
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
‘The Legend is Back': CS Sfaxien announce Maaloul's return after 9 Years with Ahly - Africa
Tunisian side CS Sfaxien confirmed the signing of veteran left-back Ali Maaloul in a free transfer on Saturday, marking the end of his nine-year tenure with Egyptian giants Ahly. The 35-year-old Maaloul had announced his departure from Ahly last May, after playing a pivotal role in one of the club's most successful eras. Speculation regarding his next move had been rife, with some suggesting he would retire, while others believed he would return to his childhood club, CS Sfaxien. On Saturday, CS Sfaxien made the announcement official with a video posted on their official Facebook page, headlined 'The Legend is Back.' Maaloul's stint with Ahly was marred by injury, as he underwent surgery in May 2024 to treat a partial tendon tear suffered during a match against Esperance de Tunis. The injury sidelined him for several months, including during the first leg of the CAF Champions League final. Despite signing a contract extension last summer, Maaloul was dropped from the squad to make room for a foreign player. When the transfer window reopened in January, he was not included in coach Marcel Koller's plans., as the club sought to strengthen their attack with a foreign forward. Since joining Ahly in the summer of 2016, Maaloul established himself as a cornerstone of the club's success. He recorded an impressive 51 goals and 83 assists in 287 appearances, earning a special place in the hearts of the club's supporters for his unwavering dedication and loyalty. Over his illustrious time in Cairo, the Tunisian international left behind an unmatched legacy, securing 21 titles, including four CAF Champions League trophies, two CAF Super Cups, six Egyptian Premier League titles, five Egyptian Super Cups, and four Egypt Cup victories. Before his time at Ahly, Maaloul helped CS Sfaxien secure the Tunisian League title in the 2012/13 season. Across 190 appearances for the club, he scored 39 goals and provided 43 assists in all competitions from 2008 to 2016. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
The South African
09-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Pirates news: Striker search nears conclusion, new signings galore
Orlando Pirates fans are eager as the club navigates the final stages of the transfer window. Despite several rumours, the Buccaneers have officially added only a couple of players, leaving supporters wondering if the club will secure its much-needed striker before the deadline. Reports earlier hinted at Malian forward Adam Coulibaly, attracting interest from Orlando Pirates and Tunisia's Esperance de Tunis. However, high demands have delayed a deal, pushing Pirates to focus on other targets. Meanwhile, the arrivals of Polokwane City's Oswin Appollis and AmaZulu's Tshepang Moremi have brought fresh energy to the squad. Striker position remains a priority Orlando Pirates continue their search for a proven goal scorer. The club's attacking line has shown promise but lacks that clinical finisher. Appollis and Moremi offer versatility, yet fans expect the Buccaneers to add firepower to compete on all fronts. Management is under pressure to finalize deals quickly. With the season fast approaching, Orlando Pirates followers are closely monitoring transfer developments. Social media buzzes with speculation and hope for more reinforcements. The Buccaneers have demonstrated ambition, but only time will tell if the signings can fill the gaps. Orlando Pirates remain committed to strengthening the squad, balancing financial realities with competitive needs. The club's ability to secure a top striker could be decisive for the season ahead. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
07-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates news: Coulibaly price tag, Saleng snub
Orlando Pirates are fighting a tough battle to sign Adam Coulibaly, the Malian forward reportedly valued at R13 million. With Esperance de Tunis also in the mix, the Soweto giants will need to move fast if they want to secure the striker. Coulibaly's rise has caught the eye of scouts across Africa. Whether Pirates can beat Esperance remains to be seen — but it's clear they're serious. While the club focuses on signings, fans are wondering: what happened to Monnapule Saleng? The winger hasn't played since December and rumours of his exit have not gone away. Despite his absence, Orlando Pirates haven't released a statement. And as more attacking players join, his place becomes more uncertain. Meanwhile, Stellenbosch defender Thabo Moloisane continues to weigh up his options. 'I think when you have interest in your name, it shows you're doing well and you're playing well, and I'm just happy that my work is finally showing,' he told SABC Sport. 'I've prayed for days when I'm a Bafana Bafana player, and I try by all means to remain as consistent as I can, and at the moment it's just to continue doing what I can, and God is in control, so we'll see.' 'For me, I know the right time, everything that has happened in my career has always come at the right time,' the Orlando Pirates target said. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Star
28-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Mokwana, Mailula, Lorch step up as Africa falls short on global stage
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup arrived with much promise for African football, particularly for South Africa as Mamelodi Sundowns carried the hopes of the nation onto the global stage. Alongside them stood continental heavyweights Al Ahly, Wydad Athletic Club, and Esperance de Tunis — four clubs that have dominated African football over the past decade. However, the group stage brought a harsh reality. None of the four African sides progressed to the round of 16, and while there were moments of quality, the early exits laid bare the concerning gap between Africa's best and the rest of the world. It was a tournament that underlined how far African clubs still have to go to match their counterparts in Europe, South America, and parts of Asia. Yet within the overall disappointment, there were bright sparks — none more so than Sundowns. The Premiership champions stood out as the most competitive African side, finishing with four points from their three matches. A thrilling 4-3 loss against Borussia Dortmund, a hard-fought 1-0 win over HD Ulsan, and a resilient goalless stalemate against Brazilian giants Fluminense left them agonisingly short of progression. Still, their performances did more than earn respect — they proved that they have matured into a club capable of standing toe-to-toe with the game's elite. Their showing was not just about results; it was a statement of growth. Years of investment, sound football management, and a focus on developing local and continental talent have made them a standard bearer for African football. For South Africa, the tournament also offered a positive subplot. Several Bafana Bafana players gained vital experience on the global stage — something national coach Hugo Broos will be keen to build on ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Elias Mokwana The versatile attacker featured in all three matches for Esperance de Tunis in one of the toughest groups of the tournament, facing Chelsea and Flamengo. Their 1-0 win over Los Angeles FC was a highlight, but a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea ended their hopes. Despite the early exit, Mokwana impressed with his work rate and discipline and even though he would have wanted to have a lot more impact for his side, he did just enough to open the door for a few options in the market moving ahead. Cassius Mailula The Wydad forward endured a tough campaign, with the Moroccan side finishing without a point. Still, Mailula made his presence felt, scoring one of Wydad's two goals across the group stage. His loan spell from Toronto FC has been fruitful, and the exposure he gained on the world stage could push the Moroccan side to consider making his move permanent. For a player still on the rise, this experience may prove vital to his long-term development. Thembinkosi Lorch
The Star
25-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Delap shows promise in Jackson's absence ahead of Benfica showdown
Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Group D - Esperance de Tunis v Chelsea - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. - June 24, 2025 Chelsea's Liam Delap scores their second goal REUTERS/Lee Smith PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) -Chelsea's new striker Liam Delap scored his first goal for the club on Tuesday to help the London side secure a spot in the Club World Cup round of 16 with a 3-0 win against Esperance de Tunis. Delap, a 30 million pounds ($40.84 million) signing from Ipswich Town earlier this month, has settled in well and his quick progress will please coach Enzo Maresca given Chelsea will be without striker Nicolas Jackson against Benfica on Saturday following his red card against Flamengo. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT One of the summer's most-wanted young strikers, Delap looks like he can give Chelsea the spark they were missing with his excitement and energy. Maresca is pleased with what he is seeing from the forward and expects big things from him. KEY QUOTES: Chelsea manager Maresca: "I'm pleased with Liam, with him scoring for us, but against Flamengo he had three clear chances to score goals, so that is already a good feeling because that means that he's there, he's in the right position, he's doing well. Unfortunately, he didn't score against Flamengo, and tonight he scored. We know that Liam is going to score goals with us, and we don't have any doubt about that. "The process quite quick with Liam, and the reason why is because we know him, and he knows us in the way we want to play. So, for instance, for Dario Essugo, or for Mamadou Sarr, or even for Andrey that he was just with us last pre-season, it's going to be a little bit more complicated. "They need more time because they don't know the way we want to play exactly. But Liam, as I said, we know each other very well. So, the process for him is quite quick, and then it's also because he's a very good player." ($1 = 0.7346 pounds) (Reporting by Fernando Kallas; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
