What a night. What a battle. What a statement. Espérance de Tunis delivered a performance for the ages, defeating Al Ahly 3-2 at the Cairo International Stadium to seal a 4-2 aggregate victory and book their place in the CAF Champions League semi-finals.
From the opening whistle, the hosts came flying out of the blocks, applying relentless pressure on the Blood and Gold backline. Despite a composed defensive start, danger arrived early. In the 8th minute, Danho produced a crucial goal-line clearance, but two minutes later, the breakthrough came. After an initial save from Ben Saïd, the ball fell kindly to Trézéguet, who made no mistake to put Al Ahly ahead (1-0).
Pinned back for large spells, Espérance struggled to impose themselves. Attempts from Diarra (12’) and Tka (18’) failed to trouble Shobeir significantly, while at the other end, Ben Saïd stood tall. The goalkeeper delivered a string of outstanding saves, denying Zizo (20’), Marouane Attia (31’), and twice frustrating Trézéguet (35’, 42’). With nearly 70% possession, Al Ahly dominated proceedings, but Espérance held firm to go into the break trailing by a single goal.
The second half initially followed the same script, with Ben Saïd once again called into action to keep his side alive. Gradually, however, the Blood and Gold began to grow into the game. Danho tested Shobeir twice (52’, 54’), signalling a shift in momentum.
That shift turned decisive in the 68th minute. A swift counter-attack led by Boualia and Sasse carved open the Al Ahly defence, and Danho powered home the equaliser (1-1). Suddenly, the tide had turned. Espérance were on the front foot.
Moments later, Sasse came close to delivering the knockout blow (75’), before the turning point arrived. In the 76th minute, Tka was brought down inside the box—penalty. Up stepped Tougaï, who kept his composure to fire Espérance into the lead (1-2) in the 79th minute.
But the drama was far from over. Al Ahly responded in the 84th minute through Osman, capitalising on a defensive lapse to level the score once more (2-2). With tension at its peak, the closing minutes saw a complete shift in mentality—Espérance calm and composed, Al Ahly increasingly frantic.
Then came the moment of destiny. Deep into stoppage time (90’+4), a perfectly delivered corner from Msakni found Jelassi, who rose highest to power a header into the net. 2-3. Pandemonium. A goal worthy of the occasion.
The final whistle confirmed it: Espérance de Tunis are through to the semi-finals.
A game of two halves, dominated early by Al Ahly, transformed by a stunning second-half resurgence from the Blood and Gold. Courage, character, and clinical finishing—this was a performance that will live long in the memory.
The Blood and Gold march on.
EST Lineup: Ben Saïd, Keita, Ben Hamida(c), Jelassi, Tougaï, Ogbelu, Tka (Guenichi 89'), Konaté (Msakni 89'), Boualia (Hadj-Ali 73'), Diarra (Sasse 57') and Danho (Diakité 73').
Booking: Tougaï, Keita, Tka.