Esperance returned to winning ways after coming from behind to beat rivals CS Sfaxien 2-1 in their Group B clash on Sunday in Rades.
Oussama Darragi and Driss Mhirsi scored within a spate of a minute after Maher Hannachi had shot the visitors into the lead early in the second half. The result serves a good start for Frenchman Sebastien Desabre, who was elevated to the top spot after Dutchman Ruud Krol was relieved of his post after losses in the opening two games of the group stage.
The ‘Blood and Gold’ had to wait for over 180 minutes to land their first win at this stage, which came crucially at the halfway mark.
The all-Tunisian affair was action packed with the visitors parading an unfamiliar attack due to the absence of star man, Fakhreddine Ben Youssef.
After a balanced opening, it was Sfaxien who had the first major attempt at goal but Hannachi was unlucky as his shot flew across the face of goal on 19 minutes.
Two minutes later, Esperance responded and it was Cameroon-import Yannick N’Djeng who struck a half volley that Sfaxien goalie Rami Jeridi tipped out.
After a barren first half, Sfaxien went up two minutes from recess through Hannachi, who connected home from a tailor-measured pass from captain Ali Maaloul from the left.
Esperance bounced back and drew even on 65 minutes through Darragi, who finished off a three-man move which included N’Djeng and Mohamed Msakni.
Msakni fetched N’Djeng, who squared to Darragi to tap in for the equalizer and bring the Esperance halve of the stadium alive.
Sfaxien lost the ball from the restart and Ahmed Akaichi’s pass was slammed home by Mhirsi to power Esperance into the lead for the first time.
The hosts never looked back for more goals and on 79 minutes, Akaichi was denied by Jeridi in a one-on-one situation.
Three minutes from time, Sfaxien had a good chance to salvage a point from the game, but substitute Imed Louati shot wide with only Esperance goalie Ben Moez to beat.
Algerian side, Entente Setif sit atop of Group B with five points, Sfaxien and Ahly Benghazi of Libya in that order with four points each and Esperance in that order with three points.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) News
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