African Champions, Esperance de Tunis climaxed their centenary celebration with a colourful ceremony on Tuesday (19 February 2019) in Tunis.
The ceremony was attended by the Tunisian president Beji Caid Essebsi and a number of celebrities, artists, and many popular names in Tunisian sports. Essebsi had earlier in the day awarded Esperance president, Hamdi Meddeb, the presidential medal, in recognition of Esperance’s role in guiding the youth and honouring Tunisia on the continental and international level throughout the years.
Also present were former Esperance players including Zambian striker, Kenneth Malitoli.
Actually, Esperance was founded in Tunis, on 15 January 1919. They are the first Tunisian football club.
‘Taraji’ or ‘Mkachkha’ as they are fondly called, is the most crowned football club in Tunisia with 28 league titles, 15 Cup titles, and three CAF Champions League titles. They also boast of other sporting arms such as Handball and Volleyball.
Die-hard fans started their celebrations right after the CAF Champions League final victory last year, beating Egyptian giants 4-3 on aggregate. Across the country, fans chanted club hymns and traditional songs, fireworks to celebrate the 100 years of existence and glory.
A musical show and different festivities was held later in the evening at Parc B, the club’s headquarters. Over 20,000 fans showed up. At exactly 19:19 local time, a spectacular show of fireworks kicked off followed by celebrations in Beb Souika, home of Esperance.
