Scenes of disorder overshadowed Club Africain’s dramatic league triumph after clashes broke out following their victory over rivals Espérance Sportive de Tunis in the Tunis derby.
The confrontation took place immediately after the final whistle at Hamadi Agrebi Stadium, where Club Africain secured the Tunisian league title for the 14th time in the club’s history with a 1-0 victory.
What began as a tense exchange between players quickly escalated into scenes of chaos involving several footballers and officials, forcing Tunisian security forces to intervene repeatedly in an effort to restore calm.
The decisive moment of the match itself arrived deep into extra time when Ghaith Zaalouni scored in the 115th minute to hand Club Africain the victory and confirm the championship title.
However, celebrations after the match were soon overshadowed by disorder on the pitch.
According to reports from inside the stadium, the initial confrontation began with a discussion between Esperance defender Mohamed Amine Tougai and Club Africain goalkeeper Moheb Chamekh shortly after the match ended.
Players and officials initially attempted to calm the situation, and there was a quick intervention aimed at preventing the argument from escalating further.
Despite those efforts, tensions resurfaced moments later when Mehdi Milad, head of the football branch at Club Africain, entered the scene in an attempt to contain the growing unrest.
Instead of easing tensions, the atmosphere reportedly became increasingly heated, with verbal exchanges turning into physical confrontations on the field.
The most dramatic moment occurred when Tougai again became involved in the dispute, this time with Club Africain forward Firas Chaouat.
According to reports, Tougai struck Chaouat during the confrontation, causing the player to fall to the ground in scenes that intensified the chaos around the pitch.
The incident sparked further disorder among players and officials from both sides as emotions continued to rise following the fiercely contested derby.
Tunisian security personnel were forced to intervene on multiple occasions throughout the disturbances. Officers entered the field in attempts to separate players, control the confrontations and prevent the situation from worsening further.
The clashes created a tense conclusion to one of the most important matches of the Tunisian football season.
Club Africain’s victory had already carried enormous significance before the disorder erupted, with the club ending the campaign by securing its 14th league title through one of the most dramatic derby victories in recent years.
The goal from Zaalouni in the closing stages of extra time had appeared set to become the defining image of the evening, but the post-match scenes quickly shifted attention away from the sporting achievement.
Derbies between Club Africain and Esperance are traditionally among the most intense fixtures in North African football, often carrying heavy emotional and competitive significance for players and supporters alike.
This latest meeting, however, concluded in controversy after the celebrations and frustrations on both sides spilled over into direct confrontations on the field.
While security forces eventually managed to restore order inside the stadium, the incidents are likely to attract significant attention in Tunisian football circles following a final overshadowed by disorder after the whistle.
