Esperance de Tunis will be seeking revenge when they face C.D. Primeiro de Agosto in their 2018 CAF Champions League semi-final second leg match at the Stade Olympique de Rades on Tuesday.
Luvumbo Lourenco Pedro’s lone strike earned the Angolan champions’ a 1-0 victory over Esperance in the first leg match that took place in Luanda over two weeks ago.
The Blood and Gold have since parted ways with Coach Khaled Ben Yahia and acquired the services of Moni Chabani, with former Esperance midfielder Mejdi Traoui as his assistant.
Traoui has made it clear that they are targeting nothing but a convincing win over D’Agosto.
“We have to play with maximum concentration and not rush to the opponent’s goal. An early goal would make it easier for us to play and make us play with less pressure,” Traoui said.
“Over the past period, we have tried to focus on improving the effectiveness of our strikers in front of goal – as we have not scored many goals in our recent matches.”
The regaining Tunisian champions will be missing the services of key defender Khalil Chemmam who was shown a red card in the first leg in Luanda.
Their key man up front will be Taha Yassine Khenissi with Anice Badri and Youcef Belaili providing support.
Meanwhile, Agosto are looking to make history by becoming the first Champions League finalists from Angola.
They head into the clash in good form having gone unbeaten in their last ten matches in all competitions.
Agosto’s assistant coach Ivo Traca has assured the fans that the boys will not be intimidated by the wounded Esperance, who will be having over 40,000 fans behind then in Rades.
“We worked hard and the team is doing well. We are travelling with the aim to play a fine game and winning the tie. Despite being strong and playing in their stronghold, we respect and we are not afraid of the host team,” Traca said.
In-form Agosto forward Akinfenwa Ibukun is expected to be the star man for the Angolans who also have DR Congolese striker Mongo Bokamba enjoying a fine season in Africa.
Both teams have faced each other three times in the past with the Tunisians leading the head-to-head by two wins to one. The North Africans claimed a 1-0 victory the last time they played at home against the Angolans back in 2013.
Zambian match referee Janny Sikazwe will officiate the game between Esperance and Agosto and will be assisted by his fellow countrymen Romeo Kasengele and Kabwe Chansa.
