Mission accomplished—and in style. Playing on a difficult, almost unplayable pitch at the El Hamma Municipal Stadium, Espérance Sportive de Tunis showed no signs of weakness, comfortably defeating Wided Sportif d'El Hamma 5–0 this afternoon in the Tunisian Cup Round of 32.
From the opening minutes, the pattern of the game was clear: the home side sat deep, pinned inside their own half, while Esperance imposed their rhythm. In the 7th minute, Moez Hadj-Ali tried his luck after a run and cross from Chiheb Jebali, but his effort went over the bar. Shortly after (14’), Alaeddine Derbali forced goalkeeper Sakr Bouhouche into a difficult save.
The breakthrough came in the 15th minute. Amen-Allah Hamidhi made a fine run down the left and delivered a perfect cross to Achref Jabri, who, like a true poacher, made no mistake in front of goal (0–1). Jabri doubled the lead in the 26th minute: his initial shot was saved and spilled by the keeper, but he reacted quickest to slot the ball home (0–2).
Dominant throughout the first half, the men of Patrice Beaumelle continued to create chances without fully capitalizing. Arkam Tabboubi missed the target (32’), while Hamza Rafia set up Jebali with a perfect pass (35’), only for the latter to opt for a long-range attempt easily collected by the keeper. Jabri nearly completed his hat-trick (36’), and Hamidhi missed with a header just before halftime (44’). At the break, the 2–0 lead was fully deserved.
Esperance stepped up another gear after halftime. Following an early attempt from Jabri (46’), the third goal came in the 51st minute: Jabri’s cross found Jebali, whose header set up Hamidhi for a superb volley into the net (0–3). Just three minutes later, Hadj-Ali delivered a free-kick from the left; Bouhouche caught the ball but fumbled it over his own line, gifting Esperance a fourth goal (0–4, 54’).
With a comfortable lead, the coaching staff rotated the squad (59’), giving valuable minutes to several players. A rare attacking move from the hosts forced Sedki Debchi into action (62’), but Esperance remained in full control. In the 64th minute, after a blocked shot from Haythem Dhaou, Hamidhi pounced on the loose ball to score his second goal and make it 5–0.
The final stages were managed professionally. Khalil Guenichi tested the keeper (78’), while the hosts failed to capitalize on a late defensive error (88’).
At the final whistle, the result was beyond doubt. Superior in every department, the Blood and Gold handled the match with professionalism despite difficult playing conditions. It must be said that Wided Sportif d'El Hamma offered little resistance and lacked the offensive edge to trouble Esperance.
The job is done: Esperance advance to the Round of 16 with authority. Well done, Blood and Gold!
EST Lineup: Memmiche (Debchi 59'), Ben Ali(c) (Bouzaïène 67'), Laïfi, Derbali, Guennichi, Hadj-Ali (Ouahabi 59'), Rafia, Tabboubi, Jebali (Dhaou 59'), Hamidhi and Jabri (Maâcha 59').