CAF Champions League: Al Ahly v ES Tunis, mission impossible for the Sang et Or?
Al Ahly v ES Tunis, mission impossible for the Sang et Or? The Tunisians must overturn a 0-3 first-leg defeat in Cairo on Friday.
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Espérance Tunis still believe? Not necessarily. What is certain, though, is that in their statements of intent there is no talk of giving up yet. At least not from those still on board. First-leg coach Nabil Maloul has jumped ship, resigning the day after the Tunis debacle. Anis Boussaidi, who took over in the dugout, is far from submitting. "We were severely punished by an Al Ahly side who knew how to take advantage of weaknesses. But at Espérance, we will never throw in the towel and we always play to win. This match is for us one of redemption, to show our true face and our pride," the coach declared at a press conference.
On the pitch, it would already be an achievement to leave Cairo with the three points. Espérance Tunis have not managed it in 9 visits since 2007. They have recorded 5 defeats and 4 draws in Cairo, conceding 18 goals and scoring only 6. Scoring three goals there therefore looks like mission impossible for the Sang et Or. Only Etoile du Sahel (1-3 in 2007) and Orlando Pirates (0-3 in 2013, when Egyptian football was in crisis) have won there by scoring 3 goals at Al Ahly's ground. But Anis Boussaidi says "anything is possible in football in 90 minutes."
They will therefore need to shackle Percy Tau, Al Ahly's South African forward, who was a thorn in the Tunisian defence's side a week ago. A scorer of a brace, the Bafana Bafana international confirms he is rediscovering his touch in the home straight. It comes at the right time for the Cairo side, who are chasing an 11th star in the CAF Champions League, their 3rd in 4 years.
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