Tunis, Tunisia – (African Boulevard News) – Esperance, the 7-time Tunisian champions, reached the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League after being held to a 1-1 draw against Algerian team JS Kabylie at home on Saturday night. The tension-filled match saw an equalizer from Mehdi Benaldjia for Kabylie after Esperance took the lead in the first half through Bilel Bensaha.
Despite the draw, Esperance’s aggregate 3-2 victory means they progress to the last four of the competition. They will face the winner of the quarter-final tie between Al Ahly of Egypt and Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, with the latter holding a 1-0 lead from the first leg.
The match was played at the Stade Olympique de Radès in front of a limited-capacity crowd due to Covid-19 restrictions. The Tunisian side dominated the first half, taking a deserved lead through Bensaha’s goal, but Kabylie improved after the break and got their reward with Benaldjia’s equalizer in the 65th minute.
The result means Esperance continues their impressive run in the competition, which they have won three times in the past decade. In the group stages, they finished top of their group, ahead of AS Vita Club, Al Merrikh, and Al Ahly Benghazi.
The Tunisian side will be looking to improve on their performance in last year’s competition when they were eliminated in the semi-finals by Zamalek of Egypt. With their pedigree in African club football, Esperance will be among the favorites to lift the trophy this time around.
Speaking after the match, Esperance coach Moine Chaabani said, “It was a tough game, but I am happy with the result. We need to improve in certain areas, but the most important thing is that we are through to the semi-finals.”
Esperance’s success in the CAF Champions League highlights the dominance of North African teams in the competition, with the likes of Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Wydad Casablanca also among the favorites to win the trophy.
In conclusion, Esperance’s journey to the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League despite a draw with JS Kabylie was hard-fought and well-deserved. With Al Ahly or Mamelodi Sundowns as their potential semi-final opponents, the Tunisian side will need to continue their impressive form if they are to reach the final and lift the trophy.
