CAF Champions League: Espérance Tunis v Mamelodi Sundowns – Nabil Kouki: "An Espérance win, 1-0 or 2-1"

Does this semi-final feature the favourite for this Champions League?

For me, the favourite is Al Ahly, the holders, who will face TP Mazembe. They are the strongest of the four semi-finalists, the most solid. But at this level, everything is open. Anything can happen. The first leg between Espérance Tunis and Mamelodi will be a real contest between two of the best African sides, both used to reaching the last four.

Espérance Tunis will try to make home advantage count and take a lead into the second leg…

Of course. They will be playing at home, with their supporters behind them. Ideally, of course, they would win, by at least a goal. But in football, anything can happen. Take the match between FC Barcelona and Paris-SG on Tuesday in the Champions League. The Spaniards were leading 1-0, after their first-leg win (3-2), and then they found themselves down to ten men against eleven, and everything turned. In the end they lost (1-4), when nobody expected that when they were ahead on the night!

"Espérance are very solid defensively"

During their Champions League run, the Tunis side have shown real defensive solidity, if not much flair going forward. Does that worry you?

It's true that Espérance Tunis concede very few goals. They are very solid defensively. Going forward, they do have some problems with efficiency. But they know how to score in the big matches. They are an experienced side, who know how to handle occasions like Saturday's. I think this semi-final will be decided by small details. Espérance's defensive discipline is an important asset. There may not be many chances to score against Mamelodi, and they will need to be clinical.

What do you make of this South African side?

It's a club with significant financial resources, like Espérance, and one that can sign good players and pay them well. In that respect too, you can compare them with Espérance. I had the chance to face Mamelodi last season in the Champions League quarter-finals, when I was coaching CR Belouizdad in Algeria (1-2, 1-4). Technically, they are at a very good level, the attackers are quick and defensively they are solid. But I get the impression that this team is a little less strong than last season.

What is your prediction for this first-leg semi-final?

I see Espérance Tunis winning. Not by a big margin, but by a single goal. A 1-0 or 2-1 win. Ideally they would take a lead into the second leg. But in the quarter-finals, they were held to a draw by ASEC Abidjan in Radès (0-0) and went through on penalties in the return leg. This is an experienced side, with real backbone…

Alexis Billebault