Yassine Chikhaoui Lifts FC Zurich To Crucial Win Over FC Vaduz

While it has been a little over two weeks since Yassine Chikhaoui officially returned to action for FC Zurich, yesterday was the occasion during which the Tunisian star made his first significant contribution to his team’s title push.

In what was only his third game back after more than a year of inactivity due to complications from a serious knee injury, the former Etoile Sportive du Sahel midfielder was subbed into the match in the 70th minute by coach Bernard Challandes with the his side being held 3-3 by last-placed FC Vaduz.

Chikhaoui proceeded to put on a brilliant performance which belied his need for more playing time in order to reach peak fitness. His defence-splitting pass in the 88th minute offered Dusan Djuric the winning goal before he added one of his own in stoppage time to seal maximum points after some impressive link-up play between himself and Marco Schonbachler.

If the game had ended a draw, then the Zurich would have gone into their next match, versus FC Basel on Sunday, only two points ahead of their only rivals for the Swiss title.

However, thanks to the crafty play of their Tunisian international, they will approach the clash with a four-point cushion and the knowledge that a win against their opponents will give them a 12th title.

The news will thrill Tunisian football fans considering many had feared that the 22-year-old would never be the same after his career-threatening injury.

With this latest outing, it seems more and more likely that Chikhaoui will partake in the Carthage Eagles’ upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Mozambique and Nigeria in June. It is highly probable that coach Humberto Coelho will call on him to bolster the Tunisia’s already solid midfield.

Rami Ayari, Goal.com