Esperance secure quarterfinal berth

by Staff Reporter

Friday Mar 08, 2019. 22:17

Esperance de Tunis have advanced into the next phase of the CAF Champions League after defeating Group B rivals Horoya AC 2-0 at the Olympic Stadium in Rades on Friday night.

The result sees the Tunisian giants (and competition title holders) secure a place in the quarterfinals, while the Guinea side remain in second place and will have to fight for progression on Matchday 6 next weekend.

Esperance dominated from the early stages but had to wait until midway through the first half to claim the lead. Captain Khalil Chemmam saw his cross turned into the net by Horoya defender Marius Assoko on 23 minutes, handing the initiative to the hosts.

The Blood and Gold continued to look dangerous through the likes of Haythem Jouini and Youcef Belaili, while Horoya were very trigger happy through the first half, regularly trying their hand from long range and mostly failing to trouble goalkeeper Rami Jridi.

The Guinea side looked to shake things up in the second half with the introductions of Brefo Mensah and Naby Soumah, but Esperance’s defence, led by the excellent Chemmam and Mohamed Yaakoubi, were able to handle whatever was thrown at them.

And the Tunisians were able to add to their advantage in the dying stages, with midfielder Franck Kom sending an effort beyond the reach of goalkeeper Moussa Camara in the 83rd minute to secure a 2-0 victory for the hosts.

Esperance will complete their group stage duties away to Zimbabwe’s FC Platinum next weekend, while Horoya will host Orlando Pirates for a match in which the winner will join the Tunisians in the quarterfinals.

Esperance de Tunis (1) 2 (Assoko OG 23’, Kom 83’)

Horoya AC 0

Esperance: Jridi, Derbali, Yaakoubi, Chemmam, Ben Mohamed, Badri, Coulibaly, Kom, Belaili (Bguir 64’), Jouni (Khenissi 72’), Elhouni (Meziani 85’)

Horoya: M. Camara, Mangue, Asante, Assoko, Yakubu, Wonkoye, Baffour (Mensah 63’), Abd. Camara, Mandela, Sakin (Soumah 66’), Haba (Razak 90+1’)