Our relationship with Egypt is not determined by a match

Salim Cheboub, honorary president of the Tunisian sports team, has confirmed that his country would welcome Al Ahli in the final leg of the African Champions League, despite the imperatives of the African Union. hotels and restaurants, despite what happened in Egypt on the sidelines of the first stage.

In an address to the correspondent of the "sports portal Al Ain", Shiboub said that what happened in the first leg was a provocation for the Tunisian team and his fans.

Esperance suffered a 3-0 defeat in the final stage of the tournament, which took place on Friday at the Burj Al Arab stadium, under protest from supporters of Esperance, saying the two Shots on goal obtained by the "Red Giant" were not valid.

Chiboub, who headed Esperance from 1989 to 2004, said: "What happened is an arbitration mistake that does not honor African sport," accusing the government of the day. Algerian Mehdi Obeid Sharaf refereed the first match by bias against the Egyptian team.

"What unites Al-Ahly and Al-Tarji, is the story, where a twinning agreement dating back to 1990 relies on the mutual respect of both teams, the exchange of views and creating an appropriate atmosphere at matches, "said Shiboub.

"It will be crucial for the Tunisian team, which is soon celebrating its first centenary," said Chiboub.

"The Tunisian authorities allow 60,000 spectators in the return match to be positive," he said. "The Egyptian team or its supporters should not be afraid of a possible escape.

In this context, he noted that Tunisia is well aware that relations with the Egyptian people are not determined by a football match of one hour and a half.

Shiboub said that African football has improved technically, that African talent has its place in the European championships and that the ball in North Africa has been a positive step in qualifying Tunisia. , Algeria, Morocco and Egypt for the final versions of the World Cup.

"The African arbitration is still too late, it has not achieved the required jump and hopes that the return rule will be at the required level, to oversee the African arbitration, which requires a lot of work and perseverance, "said Shiboub.

Selim Cheboub thinks that Esperance can repeat the 1994 scenario by winning the Champions League trophy against another Egyptian team, Zamalek, after a draw in Cairo and a 3-1 victory at Al Manzah stadium in Tunis , provided that the Esperance players focus on the field, next to the provocation.

Chiboub noted that Esperance counted at that time a number of outstanding players, who were the mainstay of the Tunisian team, such as Al-Hadi Bakhriza, Ayad Al-Hamrouni and Shikri Al-Haar.

Esperance is looking for its third title in the Champions League and its first since 2011 against Morocco's Wydad Casablanca.