It looks increasingly unlikely that both of the Tunisia sides in Group C will advance to the quarterfinals. The first hurdle to that reality is Etoile Sahel recording a first ever CAF Champions League win over Esperance Tunis. And we need that to happen in Rades of all places. Will the Tunisian Classico deliver this shock result?
Etoile Sahel Probable XI: Gazzeh; Ben Hassine, Jelassi, Ghedamsi, Ben Ali; Sidibe, Mbe, Jebali; Aouani, Chamakhi, Abid (4-3-3).
Esperance Tunis Probable XI: Memmiche; Ben Ali, Meriah, Tougai, Ben Hamida; Aholou, Teka; Bukia, Sasse, Bouguerra; Rodrigues (4-2-3-1).
What is at Stake?
Etoile Sahel is in a very bad place. The club is beset by off-pitch issues and are also staring at CAFCL elimination. They need to salvage their campaign but their record against Esperance isn’t good reading. Besides being outwitted in the CAF Champions League, the Reds have also not recorded a win against Taraji in their last 9 meetings. The reading is always a defeat away and a draw at home (yes, like Everton vs Liverpool).
To add salt to injury, Etoile lost two key players in Abdelli and Khmiri. They are also faced with salary payment issues, a new club administration and that old story about Sousse Stadium not being ready. They’ll really need to chop and change their squad to muster an XI capable of facing Esperance considering their January transfer market inaction due to a FIFA ba. Their hope will be in the new coach, Ajlani, and the 28,000 fans who’ll support them at Rades stadium.
Esperance Tunis story, on the other hand, is a positive reading. They got rid of Tarek Thabet and replaced him with Miguel Gomes. There have been friendly successes but we’re not going to praise them too much. We haven’t seen Esperance proper because the Tunisia Ligue 1 restart was postponed due to stadium issues.
Nevertheless, personnel-wise, Taraji look closer to their real form. They have options in defense, midfield and attack. Aholou, Bukia are the new signings looking to get starting positions while the likes of Ben Hamouda, Bouguerra and Sowe seek a fresh start under new management. At the very least we hope to see a positive approach to the match. Esperance Tunis usually wins their group, that’s CAFCL tradition, and this generation will be competing to maintain that.
Prediction
Etoile Sahel 0-2 Esperance Tunis
The head-to-head record and the current state of the two sides all point to an Esperance Tunis victory. Consider that Esperance will be happy with a draw. The “hosts” will need a tactical master class to record a win, which is the result they need to be positive after this encounter.
CAF Observer 