SFX, Tunisia (Interstat) — CS Sfaxien opened its Ligue 1 campaign with a commanding 4-0 victory over Bizertin on Wednesday night at Stade Taïeb Mhiri, a result that far exceeded statistical projections and set a dominant tone for the season.

The home side needed only four minutes to establish control. Iyed Belwafi opened the scoring with a right-footed finish, settling early nerves and putting Bizertin on the back foot from the outset. Sfaxien controlled possession and tempo for much of the first half, with the visitors offering little in response. The pressure told just before the interval. In the second minute of first-half stoppage time, defender Ali Maâloul doubled the advantage with a left-footed strike, sending the teams into the break with Sfaxien firmly in command.

Any hope of a Bizertin comeback was extinguished shortly after the restart. In the 52nd minute, Omar Ben Ali expertly curled a free kick into the net, extending the lead to three goals and effectively sealing the result. Sfaxien continued to press, adding a fourth for emphasis in the 81st minute when Willy Onana found the back of the net, completing the comprehensive scoreline.

The final whistle confirmed a perfect start for CS Sfaxien, which begins the Tunisian top-flight season with one win and no losses. For Bizertin, the defeat marks a difficult start, leaving them with one loss and no wins in Ligue 1 play. The records across all competitions for both clubs mirror their league standings after this opening match.

The lopsided outcome defied the pre-match projections from Interstat, whose game simulator had predicted a far tighter 1-0 victory for the home side. The organization’s ELO rating system, while heavily favoring Sfaxien, gave the hosts a 96.30 percent probability to win but did not anticipate the sheer margin of victory.

The match was played in front of a home crowd at the 22,000-seat Stade Taïeb Mhiri, a venue that has historically been a fortress for CS Sfaxien. The performance demonstrated a potent attack, with goals coming from open play, a set piece, and early sustained pressure, suggesting a multifaceted threat for future opponents.

For Bizertin, the defeat raises immediate questions about its defensive structure and ability to compete against the league’s established sides. The team managed no sustained offensive threat and will need to regroup quickly as the season progresses.

The victory provides CS Sfaxien with an ideal foundation, boasting a positive goal difference and immediate momentum in the early Ligue 1 table. The team will look to carry this form into its next fixture, while Bizertin seeks a response to a disappointing opening-night performance.