East Rutherford, USA – Big news dey land for African football ground as dem traditional champions, Espérance de Tunis, don fly come America for FIFA Club World Cup wey go start from June 15 go July 13. Dem dey ready for serious gbedu, as dem don qualify join Al Ahly from Egypt, Wydad Casablanca from Morocco and Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa.
As e be, Espérance dey set up their training camp for Oakland University for Michigan, sharping up their jollof before dem start dey clash with international giants like CR Flamengo from Brazil, Chelsea FC from England, and LAFC from USA. Na serious palava dis, no be small.
But make we jive small about how this beloved club take start. Dem no start for any formal ground o, na for café for Bab Souika wey be one lively area inside Tunis dem start am back for 1919. Two football lovers, Mohamed Zouaoui and Hédi Kallel, sit down for that café, chook mind together and decide say ‘we go form this club.’ Talk about na true community spirit!
Originally, Espérance dey rock white and green jerseys, but as e be for 1920, one padi wey dey called Chadly Zouiten bring red and yellow kits come the party. Dem like am so much, na im make dem official colors. Now, dem dey known as ‘Sang et Or’ which mean ‘Blood and Gold,’ and him no be joke. Dem colors don be their identity now, and na im dey shine for every match.
Now fast forward to 2019, when dem meet Wydad Casablanca for CAF Champions League finale – e turn to drama. After dem play 1-1 for the first leg and Espérance lead with 1-0 for the second leg, wahala burst when Wydad score for 59th minute but referee no gree accept the goal because VAR no dey work. Wetin follow? Dem players come dey fight, match no finish and dem later give victory to Espérance. No be small scandal! That one don jinx African football history sharp sharp.
With FIFA Club World Cup wey dey come, na serious arrangement dey happen. The tournament don expand from 7 to 32 teams, wey fit come from different parts of di world. This year na the first time wey dem dey use this new format, and American soil na di venue for the gbedu.
As season dey start, football fans from all over dey look forward to see wetin go happen. For the competition, both Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund dey join dem for the show, and e no go be easy. Tickets dey sell out fast, but e go cost between $200 – $2000. Wetin happen? Many fans dey cry say dem ticket no cheap!
In summary, Espérance de Tunis dey represent dem country well, and we go dey watch as dem dey fight for glory. E go make sense if dem fit carry the trophy come back home again. Dis one na history in di making, and e go sweet pass palm wine!
