Esperance Tunis coach Laurentiu Reghecampf faces a difficult selection decision ahead of his first competitive match of the new season, with five foreign players competing for four places against Etoile du Sahel on Sunday.
The Tunisian giants begin their 2026-27 league campaign at home in the opening fixture, but major changes to the squad have left Reghecampf with several important decisions to make.
More than 20 players have left Esperance during the summer transfer window, while a number of new arrivals have joined the squad.
The changes have increased competition for places, particularly among the club’s foreign players.
Tunisian league regulations allow a club to name six foreign players in a match squad, although only four can be on the pitch at the same time.
That restriction has created a tactical headache for Reghecampf before the opening-day clash with Etoile du Sahel.
According to information from Winwin, Esperance are expected to have six foreign players included in their squad for the match: Moroccan Imad Faraj, Peruvian Jesus Castillo, Ivorian Abdourahmane Konate, Cameroonian Mabil Fernandez, Ivorian-French Florian Danho and Brazilian Lucas Ribeiro.
However, Ribeiro is not expected to feature in Reghecampf’s plans because he is not yet ready to play.
That leaves five available foreign players competing for the four positions permitted under the league regulations.
Five players competing for four places
The situation means Reghecampf will have to leave one of his five available foreign options out of the starting line-up.
Each of the players still has a chance of featuring against Etoile du Sahel, making the final stages of preparation particularly important.
The last training session before the match is expected to play a key role in determining which four players receive the Romanian coach’s approval.
The decision carries additional significance because the game will be Reghecampf’s first official test since returning to the Esperance job.
The coach therefore faces the challenge of balancing his preferred tactical approach with the league’s restrictions on foreign players.
The extensive changes made to the squad during the transfer window have added another layer of uncertainty.
With more than 20 departures and several new additions, Reghecampf is still working to establish his preferred team and find the right balance within the squad.
Belaïli situation adds another complication
Reghecampf’s selection problems do not end with the foreign-player regulations.
The situation surrounding Algerian forward Youcef Belaïli is also creating uncertainty before the Clasico.
The Esperance coach wants to have Belaïli available for the match and is interested in using the player’s qualities as part of his plans.
However, Belaïli’s current legal situation has complicated the decision.
The Algerian remains involved in a dispute with Mouloudia Alger, and Esperance are therefore approaching the possibility of his participation cautiously while the matter remains unresolved.
As a result, Reghecampf enters the final preparations with several unanswered questions.
One foreign player, Ribeiro, is already expected to miss the match because of his lack of readiness.
Five other foreign players remain in contention for four available places.
At the same time, the coaching staff must consider whether Belaïli can be included while the dispute involving his former club remains unresolved.
First major test of the season
The opening match against Etoile du Sahel will therefore provide an early test not only of Esperance’s new-look squad but also of Reghecampf’s ability to make difficult selection decisions.
The Romanian returned to lead Esperance and will now begin his competitive campaign against one of the club’s major domestic rivals.
The scale of the summer changes means there is considerable interest in how the new squad will perform when the league campaign begins.
For Reghecampf, the immediate priority is selecting the strongest available combination while complying with the regulations governing foreign players.
The final training session is expected to provide further clues about his plans.
With five players competing for four places, one will have to accept a place on the bench or miss out altogether.
Belaïli’s unresolved situation makes the picture even more complicated.
The final decision will ultimately be revealed when Esperance take on Etoile du Sahel on Sunday.
For Reghecampf, the match represents the beginning of the competitive season and an early opportunity to establish his authority over a squad that has undergone substantial changes.
The central question before kick-off is therefore clear: which four foreign players will earn the Romanian coach’s trust for his first official match of the campaign?
