Mestouri hat-trick puts Espérance alone at the top

Mestouri’s hat-trick carried Espérance to the top of the standings with a 3-1 win over Olympique Béja on matchday five of Ligue professionnelle 1. Played at Stade Hamadi-Agrebi de Radès, the match was Pablo Franco’s first in charge of the team. It also gave Espérance a fourth victory of the season.

The result put Espérance clear in first place, ahead of Club Africain, who were beaten 2-1 by Union sportive de Ben Guerdane. Club Africain’s loss added significance to Espérance’s win on the matchday: together, the two results changed the picture at the top of the table.

Ben Guerdane now sit second, level on points with Taqaddom sportif de Sakiet Eddaïer. Taqaddom have also made a strong start to the season, winning 1-0 against Club sportif sfaxien in the southern derby. That victory keeps them level with Ben Guerdane, while Espérance move clear at the summit after their win over Olympique Béja.