Midfielder Mohamed Moncer was the hero as CS Sfaxien beat Esperance in the all-Tunisian Group B Day Four clash on Saturday in Sfax.
Moncer struck the match winner on 77 minutes with a long range shot that Esperance goalie Ben Moez with no option.
The result leaves Esperance, two-time winners of the premier continental club championship with a slim chance of advancing to the semis as they are rooted at the bottom of the standings with three points from four games.
Sfaxien closed-on on leaders ES Setif to one point adrift the latter, who have eight points, and remain on course for a place at the last four.
The first game for new coach of the Sfax-based side, Philippe Troussier, is one that veteran trainer will long remember especially when victory was achieved at the expense of rivals, Esperance.
The game got off on a high note with both teams making raids into the half of the other for the opener in the opening minutes. The best move of the first half fell the way of Sfaxien around the half-hour mark when Fakhereddine Ben Youssef appeared to have been fouled by Esperance defender Mohamed Ali Yaakoubi, but the referee ruled the tackle fair.
In the second half, Moncer scored the match winner on 77 minutes to hand the ‘Blood and Gold’ their third defeat at this stage.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) News
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate