Yallakora interviews former Esperance coach

Tunisian coach Fakhri Latif is among the most coaches who worked in the ranks of Esperance, specifically in the lower categories, until he was promoted to the first team in 2014, specifically in the mandate of French coach Sebastian Desbar.

And this year, Latif decided to embark on a new experience in his career, and there came the choice of the Algerian youth team, who finished the season in third place, to be out of participation, either in the Champions League or in the Confederation.

“Yalla Koura” contacted the Tunisian coach to discuss his career with Esperance and his opinion on the “Bab Souika” team during the current period with coach Mouin Chaabani, in addition to the teams nominated for the League title. of African Champions in the current version.

Here are the details of the dialog as follows:

How was your playing career?

My start was in the youth team, with the ranks of Esperance Athletic Tunisia, and I was a player in all the teams up to the national team 23 years ago, and then I went up to the first team at the Esperance Club and lasted two seasons before going on loan. to Al Ittihad team, then I moved to the future of athlete La Marsa and then I went to train.

And your career as a coach?

Regarding my coaching career, I started with the leadership of the 17-year-old team in the sporting future at La Marsa, then I was called to be in the Tunisian Esperance Sportive team, and this is what happened with the 17-year-old team assuming the beginning of 2008, and several juniors were promoted to the first team, starting with goalkeeper Al-Moez Ben Sharifia and Taha Yassin. Al-Khunaisi, and I continued my mission for four years and then I worked as an assistant coach with French coach Sebastian Desper, who worked in Egypt with Pyramids and Ismaily. One of the most prominent players of this team is Ghaylan Al-Shabani and Mohammed Amin bin Ramadan, who is wanted by several French clubs, and my last period as a coach with Esperance was in the season (2018-2019), after what which I went for a new opportunity and worked in the Sudanese team Al-Merrikh and Dhofar Al-Omani and currently assistant coach in a team. JS Kabylie Algeria.

– How do you see the state of Esperance now with coach Moein Chaabani?

Esperance is one of the biggest clubs in Tunisia, and every ten years the team goes through a difficult time and then comes back stronger, and this is what we inherited from the former stars of the club and previous administrations, the current administration is directed by Hamdi Al-Moddeb and he’s doing his best by treating professionally, like Moein Chaabani, it’s not me. Who I’m talking about, but the results are what Mouin Chaabani talks about, who entered history through the big door by winning the African Champions League twice and Moein’s results indicate that he is a qualified Tunisian coach.

Tell me about the confrontations between Esperance and Al-Ahly in recent years.

The matches of the Tunisian and Egyptian teams are brothers, and Al-Ahly and Al-Tarji are from the top of the continent, and these matches are the most important of the tactical character, especially since the two teams are similar in terms of method and quality.

– In the 2018 edition, Al-Ahly suffered a crisis before the final match … what happened?

The scene was like any normal match, if I asked the Esperance players at the Burj Al Arab stadium, they would say that the first leg was under pressure, and in the second leg I was in the stadium and I didn’t see anything dangerous like what happens in the Mazembe stadium in the Congo. Tunisia and Egypt are always well organized.

– In your opinion, did Esperance benefit from arbitration in the last two versions?

Most African teams benefited from refereeing and play for titles, points and front row.

– But we saw exciting events in the final of last edition between Esperance and Wydad .. Who has the right?

From my point of view, Esperance from Tunisia is the champion, and this is not only my opinion, but also the opinion of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the International Football Association, which confirmed the eligibility of Esperance .

– Do you see what are the reasons for the failure of Esperance against Zamalek in the current version?

Zamalek is one of the main African countries, and Zamalek is currently going through a recovery period, mainly because it has distinguished players, and Esperance knew how to achieve the title of the last two versions, and all teams, of course, take the precaution, and Zamalek were the mental devices more than Esperance, as they weren’t at their level, either in the first leg or the return leg, and I see that Zamalek deserves to reach the semi-finals, and after this Esperance begins to equip a new team in preparation for the next edition.

Do you expect Esperance to regain the title next season?

Esperance’s team always wants to win titles, and Esperance is trying to be around next season to compete for titles.

– From your point of view, which player caught your attention in the match between Zamalek and Esperance?

Ferjani Sassi.

Which do you think is the best in the Egyptian league, Ferjani Sassi or Ali Maaloul?

They both play for the Tunisian national team, and they all play in a different position from the other. Ferjani Sassi was able to achieve incorporation in Zamalek, and that is what Ali Maaloul also achieved with Al-Ahly.

– With your knowledge of Hamza Mathlouthi, will you be an addition when you move to Zamalek?

Hamza Mathlouthi is considered the best right-back in Tunisia today. His start was from the Benzarti team and he is known for grooming players to move on to Sfaxien. He has a great personality on the field and has advantages, whether they are offensive or defensive.

– In the end … Who will reach the final of the Champions League?

The final, in my opinion, will be Egyptian – Egyptian, that is, between Al-Ahly and Zamalek.