Tunisian Ligue 1: ES Sahel clears new signings for the derby

Good news for Etoile Sportive du Sahel. Just two days before the Sahel derby against Union Sportive Monastirienne in the Tunisian Ligue 1, the region’s flagship club has managed to clear its three new signings.

Mohamed Ali Nafkha, returning to the helm after Afouène Gharbi’s departure, can now count on the trio of Wajdi Kechrida, Oussema Abid, and Zineddine Boutmene. What unites these three players is that they have all previously donned the club’s colors and know its inner workings well.

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Kechrida is a homegrown talent, having played with the senior squad from 2016 to 2021 before embarking on stints in Italy, Greece, and Qatar. The same goes for Abid, who represented ESS from 2021 to 2025 before signing with FC Baniyas in the United Arab Emirates.

As for Boutmene, he joined ESS from Club Africain in 2021 and spent two seasons there before returning to Algeria. He made a mark with Etoile du Sahel, netting 7 goals and providing 7 assists in 61 appearances.

The matchday 20 LP1 Tunisia clash between ESS and USMO is scheduled for Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. GMT at the Olympic Stadium of Sousse.

Imed Ben Amara |

Editorar, fr

Imed Ben Amara - bilingual sports writer and web editor with experience in football content creation. Since 2021, he has contributed to Foot Africa, providing news coverage and analysis.

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