Jwaneng Galaxy fought back to hold Etoile du Sahel to a 1-1 draw in the 2021/2022 CAF Champions League Group C match at the Francistown Stadium on Saturday.
As a result, Tunisia’s Etoile moved up to the second spot on the Group C table, while Botswana side Galaxy remained at the bottom of the standings.
Abraham Wayo caused problems for the Galaxy defence with his sharp movements in the opening stages and he was brought down in the box by Thabo Lenanyane, but the match referee ignored calls for a penalty.
Galaxy grew into the match and they looked dangerous from set-pieces which saw Savio Kabugo’s effort being tipped over the crossbar by goalkeeper Ayman Mathlouthi after he had connected with Gilbert Baruti’s free-kick in the 10th minute.
Etoile went ahead on the 14th minute as Souleymane Coulibaly showed great feet on the edge of the box, before unleashing a left-footed effort into the top corner.
Antony Gouws then pulled off a fantastic diving save to deny after the Galaxy defence was exposed in the 33rd minute as the Tunisians searched for the second goal, with Galaxy looking dangerous on the counter.
Ayman Mathlouthi was called into action two minutes later, as the Etoile shot-stopper produced a finger-tip save to keep out Wendell Rudath’s curling free-kick from the edge of the box.
Etoile got off to an encouraging start in the second half and also managed to force Gouws into a fine reaction save in the 49th minute.
After a quiet spell in the second half, Jacques Mbe could have extended the lead for Etoile in the latter stages of the second half but the midfielder fired his effort well wide of the mark.
Galaxy pressed the Etoile in the closing stages of the game and they managed to grab a late equalizing goal.
Thabang Sesinyi scored a late equalizer with one minute left on the clock to ensure that the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
