Kerkennah Rally to Earn Gritty Point Against High-Flying M'saken, but Winless Streak Persists

The wind off the Mediterranean offered little comfort as Kerkennah and M'saken played to a tense 1-1 draw in Tunisia’s Ligue 2 on Saturday—an encounter that showcased the resilience of a struggling side, the ambition of an early contender, and the razor-thin margins that define the second division.

For Kerkennah, still searching for their first win of the campaign, the result was hard-won, but not quite redemptive. For M'saken, the dropped points felt like an opportunity missed against a team mired at the bottom of the table, and may linger as this promotion race unfolds.

Key Moments

The scoring opened in the 34th minute following a spell of M'saken dominance. The visitors struck on a swift counterattack, taking advantage of Kerkennah’s hesitancy in midfield. The ball was swept into the box and, amid a congested penalty area, an M'saken attacker found just enough space to finish past the outstretched Kerkennah keeper. The goal, clinical if not spectacular, set a familiar tone: Kerkennah trailing, forced once again to chase a game.

Yet Kerkennah, drawing on reserves of resolve, began to push back after the break. Their reward arrived in the 58th minute. A mounting sequence of crosses and corner kicks eventually paid dividends, with a Kerkennah player pouncing during a scramble in front of goal to level the match. The equalizer ignited celebrations among the home contingent, who have had precious few moments to savor in recent months.

From there, the match grew scrappy. M'saken pressed for a winner, threatening on a pair of late set pieces, but Kerkennah’s defense—so often porous—held firm. Tempers flared, tackles flew, but the referee kept his cards pocketed and the final whistle arrived with honors even.

Context: Struggles and Aspirations

The draw told two different stories. For Kerkennah, it was just their second point from four matches, and came on the heels of a 1-1 draw at Bouselem—a slight, if insufficient, improvement after a grim start marked by defeats to Baath Bouhajla (0-1) and Sporting Ben Arous (0-3). The team’s lone goals this season have come in their two draws, underlining an attack that’s still looking for inspiration.

Kerkennah’s record:

• League position: 14th (last)
• Points: 1
• Season: 0 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses

Their continued inability to convert home advantage into victories feeds a sense of restlessness around the club. But there are glimmers of steel—two consecutive draws after back-to-back losses—and this comeback against a playoff hopeful might just stiffen resolve for the battles ahead.

For M'saken, the point maintains their position among the early chasers in the upper third of the table. Sitting 5th with 6 points from three matches, their form had previously been defined by narrow margins—a 1-0 win over Menzel Bourguiba, a 2-1 triumph against Mégrine, and a 0-1 setback at Tataouine.

M'saken’s record:

• League position: 5th
• Points: 6
• Season: 2 wins, 1 loss

They arrived on Kerkennah as clear favorites, riding confidence and cohesion, yet were unable to find the clinical edge to kill the match after their first-half lead. Dropped points against a struggling opponent leave something to ponder, especially for a side aiming to keep pace with the league’s leading pack.

Implications for the Standings

With four more points than their hosts, M'saken remain in contention for promotion, but relinquishing a lead against the bottom side is a reminder of how fine the margins are in Ligue 2. Kerkennah, meanwhile, are left rooted to last place, their winless start stretching on, but with signs of life in a campaign that desperately needs it.

Head-to-head, meetings between these sides have rarely been straightforward—draws and narrow victories are not unusual—but Saturday’s match felt particularly significant given their contrasting fortunes so far.

The Road Ahead

For Kerkennah, the quest for a first win continues, but two straight draws, both coming from behind, offer the faintest hint that this team is growing in resilience. Their next fixtures will demand sharper finishing and steadier nerves in defense if they are to climb off the bottom.

As for M'saken, the spotlight intensifies. With expectations rising after a strong start, being held by the league’s last-place side, despite leading, will sting. The draw is not disastrous, but in a league where every point shapes the promotion fight, dropped opportunities can prove costly.

As dusk settled over the unknown venue, both clubs departed with regrets as well as hope—Kerkennah wondering if this is the turning point, M'saken pondering how to turn dominance into wins. In Tunisia’s Ligue 2, the answers often come painfully slowly.