Reigning Tunisian champions seeking CAF Champions League final spot. Photo | est.org.tn

CAF Champions League 2018

Tunisian champions eye final spot

Esperance de Tunis will welcome CD Primeiro de Agosto in the 2018 CAF Champions League semifinal second-leg match at the Stade Olympique de Rades on Tuesday.

The reigning Tunisian champions are seeking revenge after losing 1-0 to Agosto in the first-leg encounter which took place in Luanda two weeks ago.

Esperance have since fired coach Khaled Ben Yahia, who had replaced legendary Tunisian tactician Faouzi Benzarti earlier this year.

Moin Chabani has since taken over the reins and he will be assisted by former Esperance midfielder Mejdi Traoui.

The two men have been tasked with delivering the Blood and Gold's third Champions League title and Traoui has stressed the importance of grabbing an early goal in the second-leg clash.

"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 Blood and Gold will look to prolific marksman Anice Badri, who has scored six goals in this year's Champions League.

Meanwhile, Agosto are looking to make history by becoming the first Champions League finalists from Angola.

Luvumbo Lourenco Pedro, who is better known as Bua, scored D'Agosto's crucial goal in the first-leg encounter.

Agosto head coach Zoran Manojlovic stated that his side could have scored more goals at home.

However, the Serbian trainer believes that can cause an upset by eliminating a much-fancied Esperance side from the continental tournament.

“The refereeing was terrible and it hurt us a lot, but we managed to beat one of the best clubs in Africa,” Manojlovic said.

“I do not fear playing Esperance in Tunisia, only other factors such as the refereeing. We continue to dream of reaching the final.”

Bua will be looking to score again and help the reigning Angolan champions make history by advancing to the final of Africa's most prestigious club competition.