Call to support Club World Cup debutant ES Tunis
ABU DHABI: Esperance Sportive de Tunis (ES Tunis) will be lying the lag for Tunisia and the whole of Africa when they take the ield at the FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) UAE 2018, which takes place in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi and Al Ain from Dec. 12-22.
ES Tunis secured their first appearance at the tournament, the pinnacle of world club football, since 2011 with their thrilling comefrom-behind 4-3 aggregate victory over Egyptian giants Al Ahly SC in Africa’s CAF Champions League final, winning the second leg at home 3-0 roared on by 60,000 fans at the Stade Olympique de Rades in Tunis.
In addition to being crowned Kings of Africa, their prize is a ticket to the UAE to compete for the ultimate honour - world club champions, which will be awarded to the last team standing following eight competitive games across Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Sports City Stadium and Al Ain’s Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.
And to ensure ES Tunis, which means ‘Sporting Hope of Tunis’, have the best chance of going deep in the tournament, Tunisia’s ambassador to the UAE, Samir Mansar, has called on Tunisians in the UAE - who number approximately 20,000 - and those back home to make the trip to support their country’s great tournament aspirations.
The Tunisians will take the field on Dec. 15 at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium against host team Al Ain FC or Team Wellington, from New Zealand, who booked their place with victory in the OFC (Oceania) Champions League on Dec. 12.
“Esperance Sportive de Tunis produced a determined performance to qualify against the odds for the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018, exemplifying the fighting Tunisian spirit and we look forward to welcoming the club, officials and supporters. They will do Tunisia and Africa proud,” said Mansar who has been Tunisia’s top diplomat in the UAE since 2017.
“Footballteamsreallybenefitfrom the support of the people – we saw that at Stade de Rades recently. With Tunisiansresidingintheuae,weare a small community but a passionate oneandiknowthetunisianresidents who travel to Al Ain for the matches will give tremendous support to the players.”