Soulaima Jabrani, the wall from Sousse
Under the floodlights of the Père Jégo stadium in a Maghreb derby, one goalkeeper held her own. Against Algeria, Soulaima Jabrani embodied Tunisian resilience. A goalless draw, goalless but not intense match, owed much to the composure of their goalkeeper.
She held firm. Calm and precise, Jabrani extinguished Algeria's hopes on Thursday, in the fifth matchday of the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024. A lackluster draw for the spectators but a solid performance for the 27-year-old goalkeeper. Like a solid Tunisia, she symbolized this tough evening where the slightest space was worth gold.
A Firm Hand in the Derby
In this clash of styles, Algeria showed more attacking bite - 13 shots in total, six of which were on target. But every time a tremor ran through the Tunisian box, Jabrani was there, firm glove and clear eye. Already in the 18th minute, she made a save against Ghoutia Karchouni, who was well served at the penalty spot. A sharp release, a firm left hand, and a first warning was warded off.
"Soulaima set the tone at the back. She reassures the entire block. That is what you expect from a goalkeeper in these matches," emphasized Kamel Saada, the Tunisian coach, after the match. A way of recognizing a performance that allowed Tunisia to keep their first clean sheet in this tournament, after a 0-3 defeat to Nigeria.
A goalkeeper under pressure
"This kind of match is also about the mind. You cannot be nervous in a derby. We knew we would be tested, so I tried to be as calm as possible, for the whole team," she said afterwards, between stretches on the sidelines.
With six saves, including two in the final 10 minutes on long-range attempts by Boussaha and Boutaleb, she had one of her most complete performances in the national team jersey. "She was at the top of her game. Defensively, it was solid, and Soulaima is the foundation of that," Saada emphasized in the post-match press conference.
A sober, but effective style
Jabrani exhibits a kind of unnecessary movement. She does not dive to impress. She anticipates, she reads, she blocks. "I'm not spectacular, but I want to be reliable." "My role isn't to be cheered, it's to make sure the opponent doesn't score," she says with a smile.
It must be said that Jabrani has grown in stature over the past two years, to the point of becoming a central part of Saada's project. "She has the mental strength, the technique, and above all, she exudes real authority. The defenders listen to her. She's our silent leader," insists the coach.
Quarterfinals Objective
With this point from the draw, Tunisia remains in the running for qualification to the quarterfinals. And while the attack still struggles to convert their chances, the defense have established themselves as the foundation of a team that never gives up.