US Ben-Guedan and Étoile du Sahel played out a 1-1 draw in Ligue 1 on Wednesday, September 16th. The result keeps both sides level on five points after three matches, sitting eighth and seventh in the table respectively. By then, both sides had already recorded one win and two draws across the opening fixtures.
J. Loulendo opened the scoring for the hosts in the 33rd minute, but M. Camara equalised for Étoile du Sahel six minutes after the hour mark. T. El Islem went close to trouble for US Ben-Guedan with a booking in the 27th minute, while G. Mounguide collected his caution just before half-time.
Both sides made changes at the break — US Ben-Guedan brought on three players including I. Mhirsi and T. El Islem, while Étoile du Sahel introduced M. Rahmani and G. Sghaier. The hosts worked hard to maintain their advantage, but Étoile du Sahel found their way back into the contest before the red card changed everything.
H. Ouedraogo was sent off in the 77th minute for US Ben-Guedan, leaving the hosts to finish with ten men. Y. Habchia had already been cautioned in the 54th minute, and three more yellow cards came in the final quarter — at 78th, 85th and 90+7th minutes. The heat took the sting out of what could have been a more contentious finish.
US Ben-Guedan dominated the numbers with 55 per cent possession and 189 attacks compared to 137 for the visitors. They registered five shots off target and three on, while Étoile du Sahel managed two off target and three on target. The support of the fans could be called devoted, but that is an assessment, not a fact. The fact is the hosts could not find a winner despite their territorial advantage.
The draw extends an unbeaten run for both sides, with US Ben-Guedan having drawn their last three league matches. Étoile du Sahel had lost their most recent game 2-0 to Shooting Stars on September 13th before bouncing back. The result means both clubs remain within touching distance of each other in the table, with five points separating eighth from seventh place.