Fantastic Esperance de Tunis made it to the final of the CAF Champions League in a fabulous fashion when they subjected Angola’s C.D. Primeiro de Agosto to a 4-2 defeat at the Stade Olympique de Rades on Tuesday.
On a night to remember, Youcef Belaili Mohamed Ali Yacoubi, Haythem Jouini and Anice Badri scored as the Blood and Gold moved closer to adding another star above their badge after winning 4-3 on aggregate.
The match started off at a quick pace, but it was the visitors who threatened first when Jose Nganga beat Ben Mohammed on the left, but his low shot was blocked by Rami Jeridi at the near post.
Three minutes later full-back Sameh Derbali came close to putting the ball in his own net when he tried to clear a cross from Adegbite Rasaq, but he was relieved to see the ball coming off the upright.
The deadlock was eventually broken in the 8th minute when the visitors spread the ball wide to the right where Rasaq was able to deliver an assist to Angola international Geraldo who beat Esperance goalkeeper Rami Jridi to make it 1-0 to Agosto.
However, the joy was short-lived as Esperance levelled matters seven minutes later when they were given a penalty which was easily converted by Algerian attacker Youcef Beilai to make it 1-1.
Moni Chabani’s men then extended their lead in the 27th minute when former US Quevilly-Rouen player Mohamed Yacoubi fired a breathtaking shot past Cabaca.
Agosto rallied in search of the equaliser, but were denied by some good goalkeeping from Da Rocha, who blocked a shot from Rami Jeridi in the 31st minute, before denying Akinfenwa six minutes later.
Esperance started the second half well, using both wings effectively and it almost paid off in the 53rd minute when Haythem Jouini found Franck Kom inside the penalty area, but he sent his header over the crossbar.
However, it was Agosto who scored the next goal four minutes after the hour-mark through Congolese forward Mongo Bokamba.
Jouini did get it right in the 73rd minute when he got in ahead of his marker to tap in a low cross from Sameh Derbali to make it 3-2 for Esperance.
De Agosto had their third goal from Bobo Ungenda disallowed by Zambian referee Jimmy Sikwaze as Jridi was adjudged to have been pushed by Mingo Bille in the process.
The two-time Champions League winners, Esperance scored the fourth five minutes before fulltime when Badri took advantage of a poor clearance by Bobo Ungenda to connect it past the net-minder after being fed off by Jouini.
Songs of jubilation broke out everywhere inside the stadium as Esperance celebrated. Hugs and high-fives were exchanged by majority of people in Rades and elsewhere around the country.
After all it was well deserved as Esperance marched to the final of the CAF Champions League where they are likely to face Egyptian giants Al-Ahly. Esperance will be away in the first leg of the final, which is to be played on November 2.
