Esperance have become perennial bridesmaids in the CAF Champions League in recent years, losing three finals since 1999 and failing to add to the lone continental championship they won in 1994.
Last year they were trounced 6-1 (on aggregate) in the final by TP Mazembe and will want a strong showing in 2011 to restore their pride.
They have progressed to the group phase in impressive style this year, effectively wrapping up both of their preliminary ties against ASPAC of Benin and Diaraf of Senegal with emphatic first leg victories that made the return games mere formalities.
They have a good blend of youth and experience in their squad, which coach Nabil Maaloul is hoping will be capable of claiming the title and earning a place in the FIFA Club World Cup at the end of the year.
Their danger players are Malian striker Dramane Traore and attack-minded midfielders Oussama Darragi and Youssef Msakni – the trio scored eight goals between them in the space of four preliminary qualifiers.
If Esperance can keep things tight at the back, then they certainly have the firepower to go all the way in 2011.
Augustine Mulenga of Pirates and Fousseny Coulibaly of Esperance during the 2018/19 CAF Champions League football match between Esperance and Pirates in Menzeh, Tunisia on 12 February 2019 @BackpagePix
Paseka Mako of Pirates tackled by Mohamed Ali Yakoubi of Esperance during the 2018/19 CAF Champions League football match between Esperance and Pirates in Menzeh, Tunisia on 12 February 2019 @BackpagePix
Anice Badri of Esperance and Asavela Mbekile of Pirates during the 2018/19 CAF Champions League football match between Esperance and Pirates in Menzeh, Tunisia on 12 February 2019 @BackpagePix
Ben Motshwari of Pirates and Franck Kom of Esperance during the 2018/19 CAF Champions League football match between Esperance and Pirates in Menzeh, Tunisia on 12 February 2019 @BackpagePix
Ben Motshwari of Pirates and Anice Badri of Esperance during the 2018/19 CAF Champions League football match between Esperance and Pirates in Menzeh, Tunisia on 12 February 2019 @BackpagePix
Fousseny Coulibaly of Esperance challenged by Ben Motshwari of Orlando Pirates during the CAF Champions League match between Orlando Pirates and Esperance 02 February 2019 at Orlando Stadium Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix
Ayman Ben Mohamed of Esperance challenged by Ben Motshwari of Orlando Pirates during the CAF Champions League match between Orlando Pirates and Esperance 02 February 2019 at Orlando Stadium Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix
Ayman Ben Mohamed of Esperance challenged by Asavela Mbekile of Orlando Pirates during the CAF Champions League match between Orlando Pirates and Esperance 02 February 2019 at Orlando Stadium Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix
Ayman Ben Mohamed of Esperance challenged by Ben Motshwari of Orlando Pirates during the CAF Champions League match between Orlando Pirates and Esperance 02 February 2019 at Orlando Stadium Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix
Nice Badri of Esperance challenged by Musa Nyatama of Orlando Pirates during the CAF Champions League match between Orlando Pirates and Esperance 02 February 2019 at Orlando Stadium Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix
epa07154579 Al-Ahly's goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy fails to save a goal during the CAF Champions League final 2nd leg match between ES Tunis and Al Ahly at the Stade Olympique de Rades in Tunis, Tunisia, 09 November 2018. EPA/Lahbibi Salah
epa07154593 ES Tunis's Sameh Derbali (L) in action against Al-Ahly's Islam Elsaid Mohareb (C) during the CAF Champions League final 2nd leg match between ES Tunis and Al Ahly at the Stade Olympique de Rades in Tunis, Tunisia, 09 November 2018. EPA/LAHBIBI SALAH
epa07154499 ES Tunis players celebrate winning the CAF Champions League final after the 2nd leg match between ES Tunis and Al Ahly at the Stade Olympique de Rades in Tunisia, Tunis 09 November 2018. EPA/Lahbibi Salah
epa07154557 Sameh Derbali (R) of ES Tunis in action against Islam Mohareb (L) of Al Ahly SC during the CAF Champions League final 2nd leg match between ES Tunis and Al Ahly at the Stade Olympique de Rades, in Tunis, Tunisia 09 November 2018. EPA/Lahbibi Salah
Amr Elsolia (L) Hossam Ashour (R) of Al Ahly fights for the ball with Anice Badri (C) of ES Tunis during the CAF Champions League final 1st leg match between Al Ahly and ES Tunis in Alexandria, Egypt, 02 November 2018. EPA/KHALED ELFIQI
epa07137845 Walid Azaro (R) of Al Ahly fights for the ball with goal keeper Moez Ben Cherifia (C) and Chamseddine Dhaouadi of ES Tunis during the CAF Champions League final 1st leg match between Al Ahly and ES Tunis at Borg Al Arab Stadium in Alexandria, Egypt, 02 November 2018. EPA/KHALED ELFIQI
epa07137919 Ahmed Fathy (R) of Al Ahly fights for the ball with Ghaylen Chaaleli of ES Tunis during the CAF Champions League final 1st leg match between Al Ahly and ES Tunis at Borg Al Arab Stadium in Alexandria, Egypt, 02 November 2018. EPA/KHALED ELFIQI
epa07137938 Walid Azaro (R) of Al Ahly fights for the ball with Ghaylen Chaaleli of ES Tunis during the CAF Champions League final 1st leg match between Al Ahly and ES Tunis in Alexandria, Egypt, 02 November 2018. EPA/KHALED ELFIQI
epa07137939 Ahmed Hamoudy (L) of Al Ahly fights for the ball with Franck Kom of ES Tunis during the CAF Champions League final 1st leg match between Al Ahly and ES Tunis in Alexandria, Egypt, 02 November 2018. EPA/KHALED ELFIQI
Haythem Jouini and Sameh Derbali of Esperance celebrating a goal during the 2018 CAF Champions League Semifinal 2nd Leg game between Esperance and Club Desportivo 1 de Agosto at Stade Olympique 07 Novemre Rades - Tunis - Tunisia on 23 October 2018 © Osmar Edgar/BackpagePix
Haythem Jouini of Esperance challenged by Masunguna Afonso of Club Desportivo 1 de Agosto during the 2018 CAF Champions League Semifinal 2nd Leg game between Esperance and Club Desportivo 1 de Agosto at Stade Olympique 07 Novemre Rades - Tunis - Tunisia on 23 October 2018 © Osmar Edgar/BackpagePix
Beadrik Unge of Club Desportivo 1 de Agosto and Taha Yassine Khenissi of Esperance during the 2018 CAF Champions League Semifinal 2nd Leg game between Esperance and Club Desportivo 1 de Agosto at Stade Olympique 07 Novemre Rades - Tunis - Tunisia on 23 October 2018 © Osmar Edgar/BackpagePix
Salomao Troco of Club Desportivo 1 de Agosto Anice Badri of Esperance and during the 2018 CAF Champions League Semifinal 2nd Leg game between Esperance and Club Desportivo 1 de Agosto at Stade Olympique 07 Novemre Rades - Tunis - Tunisia on 23 October 2018 © Osmar Edgar/BackpagePix
Salomao Troco of Club Desportivo 1 de Agosto Anice Badri of Esperance and during the 2018 CAF Champions League Semifinal 2nd Leg game between Esperance and Club Desportivo 1 de Agosto at Stade Olympique 07 Novemre Rades - Tunis - Tunisia on 23 October 2018 © Osmar Edgar/BackpagePix
Mohamed Youcef Belaili of Esperance goes past Jose Ganga of Club Desportivo 1 de Agosto during the 2018 CAF Champions League game between Club Desportivo 1 de Agosto and Esperance at 11 November Stadium in Angola on 2 October 2018 © Osmar Edgar/BackpagePix
Adegbite Rasaq of Club Desportivo 1 de Agosto pulls away from Khalil Chamam of Esperance during the 2018 CAF Champions League game between Club Desportivo 1 de Agosto and Esperance at 11 November Stadium in Angola on 2 October 2018 © Osmar Edgar/BackpagePix
Hermenegildo Da Costa Paulo Bartolomeu of Club Desportivo 1 de Agosto takes on Ayman Ben Mohamed of Esperance during the 2018 CAF Champions League game between Club Desportivo 1 de Agosto and Esperance at 11 November Stadium in Angola on 2 October 2018 © Osmar Edgar/BackpagePix
Isaac Correia of Club Desportivo 1 de Agosto runs at Esperance defence during the 2018 CAF Champions League game between Club Desportivo 1 de Agosto and Esperance at 11 November Stadium in Angola on 2 October 2018 © Osmar Edgar/BackpagePix
Hermenegildo Da Costa Paulo Bartolomeu of Club Desportivo 1 de Agosto takes on Franck Kom of Esperance during the 2018 CAF Champions League game between Club Desportivo 1 de Agosto and Esperance at 11 November Stadium in Angola on 2 October 2018 © Osmar Edgar/BackpagePix
Salomao Manuel Troco of Club Desportivo 1 de Agosto takes on Taha Yassine Khnissi of Esperance during the 2018 CAF Champions League game between Club Desportivo 1 de Agosto and Esperance at 11 November Stadium in Angola on 2 October 2018 © Osmar Edgar/BackpagePix
epa06740515 Esperance Sportive de Tunis player Fousseny Coulibaly (L) and Township Rollers player Ali Machani (R) fight for the ball during the CAF Champions League soccer match between Espérance sportive de Tunis of Tunisia and Township Rollers of Botswana at the Olympic Stadium Rades in Tunis, Tunisia, 15 May 2018. EPA/MOHAMED MESSARA
epa06740504 Esperance Sportive de Tunis player Anice Badri (L) and Township Rollers player Ademibi Rdjae (R) fight for the ball during the CAF Champions League soccer match between Espérance sportive de Tunis of Tunisia and Township Rollers of Botswana at the Olympic Stadium Rades in Tunis, Tunisia, 15 May 2018. EPA/MOHAMED MESSARA
epa06740503 Esperance Sportive de Tunis players Anice Badri (L) Fousseny Coulibaly (R) and Township Rollers player Ali Machani (C) fight for the ball during the CAF Champions League soccer match between Espérance sportive de Tunis of Tunisia and Township Rollers of Botswana at the Olympic Stadium Rades in Tunis, Tunisia, 15 May 2018. EPA/MOHAMED MESSARA
epa06740505 Esperance portive de Tunis players Fousseny Coulibaly and Township Rollers player Ali Machani (front) fight for the ball during the CAF Champions League soccer match between Espérance sportive de Tunis of Tunisia and Township Rollers of Botswana at the Olympic Stadium Rades in Tunis, Tunisia, 15 May 2018. EPA/MOHAMED MESSARA
Esperance Sportive de Tunis playerSaad Beguir (on the ground) and Township Rollers player Maano Ditshupo (standing) fight for the ball during the CAF Champions League soccer match between Espérance sportive de Tunis of Tunisia and Township Rollers of Botswana at the Olympic Stadium Rades in Tunis, Tunisia, 15 May 2018. EPA/MOHAMED MESSARA
Esperance Sportive de Tunis player Anice Badri (L) and Township Rollers player Ademibi Rdjae (R) fight for the ball during the CAF Champions League soccer match between Espérance sportive de Tunis of Tunisia and Township Rollers of Botswana at the Olympic Stadium Rades in Tunis, Tunisia, 15 May 2018. EPA/MOHAMED MESSARA
epa06740498 Esperance Sportive de Tunis player Mohamed Maher Ben Sghaier (L) and Township Rollers player Tshepo Motlhabankwe (R) fight for the ball during the CAF Champions League soccer match between Espérance sportive de Tunis of Tunisia and Township Rollers of Botswana at the Olympic Stadium Rades in Tunis, Tunisia, 15 May 2018. EPA/MOHAMED MESSARA
epa06587207 Joash Onyango of Kenyan club Gor Mahia (R) vies for the ball with Haythen Jovini (L) of Tunisian club Esperance during the CAF Champions League first round match between Gor Mahia and Esperance Tunis in Machakos, Kenya, 07 March 2018. EPA/DANIEL IRUNGU
epa06587280 Joachim Ochieng of Kenyan club Gor Mahia (R) vies for the ball with Yassine Khenissi (L) of Tunisian club Esperance during the CAF Champions League first round match between Gor Mahia and Esperance Tunis, in Machakos, Kenya, 07 March 2018. EPA/DANIEL IRUNGU
George Odhiambo of Kenyan club Gor Mahia (R) vies for the ball with Sameh Derbali (L) of Tunisian club Esperance during the CAF Champions League first round match between Gor Mahia and Esperance Tunis, in Machakos, Kenya, 07 March 2018. EPA/DANIEL IRUNGU
Ernest Wendo of Kenyan club Gor Mahia (L) vies for the ball with Fosseny Colibaly (C) of Tunisian club Esperance during the CAF Champions League first round match between Gor Mahia and Esperance Tunis in Machakos, Kenya, 07 March 2018. EPA/DANIEL IRUNGU
epa06587189 Jacques Tuyisenge of Kenyan club Gor Mahia (C) vies for the ball with Fosseny Colibaly (L) of Tunisian club Esperance during the CAF Champions League first round match between Gor Mahia and Esperance Tunis in Machakos, Kenya, 07 March 2018. EPA/DANIEL IRUNGU
epa06587205 Ernest Wendo of Kenyan club Gor Mahia (L) vies for the ball with Bilel Nejri (R) of Tunisian club Esperance during the CAF Champions League first round match between Gor Mahia and Esperance Tunis in Machakos, Kenya, 07 March 2018. EPA/DANIEL IRUNGU
epa06587206 Medi Kagere of Kenyan club Gor Mahia (R) vies for the ball with Fosseny Colibaly (L) of Tunisian club Esperance during the CAF Champions League first round match between Gor Mahia and Esperance Tunis in Machakos, Kenya, 07 March 2018. EPA/DANIEL IRUNGU
Esperance Sportive de Tunis player Ben Youssef Fakhreddine (L) fights for the ball with Saint George S.C. player Natnael Zeleke (R) during the 2017 CAF Champions League game between Esperance and Saint George Tunis, Tunisia on 9 July 2017 © BackpagePix
Esperance Sportive de Tunis player Mejri Bilel (R) fights for the ball with Saint George S.C. player Frezer Kasa (C) during the 2017 CAF Champions League game between Esperance and Saint George Tunis, Tunisia on 9 July 2017 © BackpagePix
Esperance Sportive de Tunis player Mbarki Lheb (L) fights for the ball with Saint George S.C. player Frezer Kasa (R) during the 2017 CAF Champions League game between Esperance and Saint George Tunis, Tunisia on 9 July 2017 © BackpagePix
Esperance Sportive de Tunis player Sassi Ferjani (R) fights for the ball with Saint George S.C. player Natnael Zeleke (L) during the 2017 CAF Champions League game between Esperance and Saint George Tunis, Tunisia on 9 July 2017 © BackpagePix
Esperance Sportive de Tunis player Beguir Saad (R) fights for the ball with Saint George S.C. player Natnael Zeleke (L) during the 2017 CAF Champions League game between Esperance and Saint George Tunis, Tunisia on 9 July 2017 © BackpagePix
Esperance Sportive de Tunis player SassiFerjani (R) fights for the ball with Saint George S.C. player Zerihun Deressie (L) during the 2017 CAF Champions League game between Esperance and Saint George Tunis, Tunisia on 9 July 2017 © BackpagePix
Esperance Sportive de Tunis player Beguir Saad (C) fights for the ball with Saint George S.C. player Natnael Zeleke (L) during the 2017 CAF Champions League game between Esperance and Saint George Tunis, Tunisia on 9 July 2017 © BackpagePix
Esperance Sportive de Tunis player Mejri Bilel (R) fights for the ball with Saint George S.C. player Frezer Kasa (L) during the 2017 CAF Champions League game between Esperance and Saint George Tunis, Tunisia on 9 July 2017 © BackpagePix
Esperance Sportive de Tunis player ( Front ) fights for the ball with Saint George S.C. player Mentsenot Adane Umema during the 2017 CAF Champions League game between Esperance and Saint George Tunis, Tunisia on 9 July 2017 © BackpagePix
Esperance Sportive de Tunis player Beguir Saad (R) fights for the ball with Saint George S.C. player Natnael Zeleke (L) during the 2017 CAF Champions League game between Esperance and Saint George Tunis, Tunisia on 9 July 2017 © BackpagePix
Esperance player Chamam Khalil (L) fights for the ball with Mamelodi Sundowns player Anthony Laffor (R) during the 2017 CAF Champions League game between Esperance and Mamelodi Sundowns at Stade Olympique In Tunis, Tunisia on 21 June 2017 © BackpagePix
Mamelodi Sundowns player Percy Tau (R) fights for the ball with Esperance player Machani Ali (L) during the 2017 CAF Champions League game between Esperance and Mamelodi Sundowns at Stade Olympique In Tunis, Tunisia on 21 June 2017 © BackpagePix
Mamelodi Sundowns player Percy Tau (R) fights for the ball with Esperance player Coulibaly Fousseny (L) during the 2017 CAF Champions League game between Esperance and Mamelodi Sundowns at Stade Olympique In Tunis, Tunisia on 21 June 2017 © BackpagePix
Mamelodi Sundowns player Percy Tau (R) fights for the ball with Esperance player Machani Ali (L) during the 2017 CAF Champions League game between Esperance and Mamelodi Sundowns at Stade Olympique In Tunis, Tunisia on 21 June 2017 © BackpagePix
Esperance player Chamam Khalil (C) fights for the ball with Mamelodi Sundowns player Hlompho Kekana (R) and Anthony Laffor (L) during the 2017 CAF Champions League game between Esperance and Mamelodi Sundowns at Stade Olympique In Tunis, Tunisia on 21 June 2017 © BackpagePix
Esperance player Mbarki Iheb (R) fights for the ball with Mamelodi Sundowns player (L) Sibusiso Vilakazi during the 2017 CAF Champions League game between Esperance and Mamelodi Sundowns at Stade Olympique In Tunis, Tunisia on 21 June 2017 © BackpagePix
Mamelodi Sundowns player Percy Tau (C) fights for the ball with Esperance players during the 2017 CAF Champions League game between Esperance and Mamelodi Sundowns at Stade Olympique In Tunis, Tunisia on 21 June 2017 © BackpagePix
Mamelodi Sundowns player Themba Zwane (C) fights for the ball with Esperance players Coulibaly Fousseny (L) Chalali Chilane (R) during the 2017 CAF Champions League game between Esperance and Mamelodi Sundowns at Stade Olympique In Tunis, Tunisia on 21 June 2017 © BackpagePix
Anice Badri (L) of Tunisian football club Esperance Tunis and Séverin Waongo (R) of Ethiopian football club Saint George vie for the ball during the CAF Champions League match in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 23 May 2017.
Players of Tunisian football club Esperance Tunis and Ethiopian football club Saint George vie for the ball during the CAF Champions League match in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 23 May 2017.
Ferjani Sassi (C) of Tunisian football club Esperance Tunis and an unidentified player (R) of Ethiopian football club Saint George vie for the ball during the CAF Champions League match in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 23 May 2017.
Salahadin Bargicho (L) of Ethiopian football club Saint George kicks the ball as Ferjani Sassi (R) of Tunisian football club Esperance Tunis looks on during the CAF Champions League match in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 23 May 2017.
Fakhreddine Ben Youssef (L) of Tunisian football club Esperance Tunis and Abebaw Butako (R) of Ethiopian football club Saint George vie for the ball during the CAF Champions League match in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 23 May 2017.
Players of Tunisian football club Esperance Tunis and Ethiopian football club Saint George vie for the ball during the CAF Champions League match in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 23 May 2017.
Chamseddine Dhaouadi (L) of Tunisian football club Esperance Tunis and Severin Waongo (C) of Ethiopian football club Saint George vie for the ball during the CAF Champions League match in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 23 May 2017.
unisian football club Esperance Tunis players talk to a referee as their goalkeeper Moez Ben Cherifia (L) falls to the ground during their CAF Champions League match against Ethiopian football club Saint George in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 23 May 2017.
Chamseddine Dhaouadi (L) of Tunisian football club Esperance Tunis and Adane Girma (R) of Ethiopian football club Saint George vie for the ball during the CAF Champions League match in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 23 May 2017.
Chamseddine Dhaouadi (L) of Tunisian football club Esperance Tunis and Adane Girma (R) of Ethiopian football club Saint George vie for the ball during the CAF Champions League match in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 23 May 2017.
Chalali Chilane (L) of Esperance Tunis vies for the ball with Omba Munganga (R) AS Vita Club during the CAF Champions League match between Esperance Tunis and AS Vita Club in Tunis, Tunisia, 12 May 2017
Chalali Chilane (L) of Esperance Tunis vies for the ball with Omba Munganga (C) AS Vita Club during the CAF Champions League match between Esperance Tunis and AS Vita Club in Tunis, Tunisia, 12 May 2017
Coulibaly Fousseny (R) of Esperance Tunis vies for the ball with Ondo Francisco (L) AS Vita Club during the CAF Champions League match between Esperance Tunis and AS Vita Club in Tunis, Tunisia, 12 May 2017
Khenissi Taha Yassine (L) of Esperance Tunis vies for the ball with Ondo Francisco (R) AS Vita Club during the CAF Champions League match between Esperance Tunis and AS Vita Club in Tunis, Tunisia, 12 May 2017
Chamam Khalil (R) of Esperance Tunis vies for the ball with Muzinga Ngonda (L) AS Vita Club during the CAF Champions League match between Esperance Tunis and AS Vita Club in Tunis, Tunisia, 12 May 2017
Mejri Bilel (L) of Esperance Tunis vies for the ball with Mutambala Lomalisa (R) AS Vita Club during the CAF Champions League match between Esperance Tunis and AS Vita Club in Tunis, Tunisia, 12 May 2017
Mejri Bilel (L) of Esperance Tunis vies for the ball with Mutambala Lomalisa (R) AS Vita Club during the CAF Champions League match between Esperance Tunis and AS Vita Club in Tunis, Tunisia, 12 May 2017
Esperance
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