Tunisia’s Espérance de Tunis hold the advantage after the first leg of their CAF Champions League quarterfinal against Egyptian giants Al Ahly.

This after the teams drew 2-2 in their match at Borg El Arab Stadium outside of Alexandria on Saturday night. Espérance’s two away goals see them favoured to progress, but anything could happen in the second leg between these two North African powerhouses.

Al Ahly claimed an early lead when Abd Allah Said converted from the penalty spot in the 12th minute to make it 1-0 to the Egyptian giants.

However, the Red Devils’ ascendancy was short lived: Espérance drew level just before the midway point of the first half, with Taha Yassine Khenissi providing a fine finish to make it 1-1.

The halftime break saw the teams remain level, with the Tunisians no doubt the happier of the two after scoring a valuable away goal.

And the Blood and Gold didn’t have to wait long for their second to arrive. Just three minutes after the restart, Ghailène Chaâlali netted to put the Tunis side 2-1 up.

Midway through the second half it was the Red Devils’ turn to mount a fightback, as they drew level through Walid Azaro in the 67th minute to bring the score to 2-2.

The return leg will be played next Saturday evening at the Olympic Stadium in Rades. The aggregate winners will face either Etoile du Sahel or Al Ahly Tripoli in the semifinals.