Despite being held to a 1-1 draw at home against Algerian team JS Kabylie on Saturday night, Tunisian powerhouse Esperance made it to the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League semifinals.
After a close encounter in Rades, the home team dominated the second leg at the Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi and won the match 2-1 overall.
Due to their 1-0 first-leg victory against their opponents in the quarterfinal matchup last week, the Tunisian giants advanced.
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The first goal of the game was scored by Mohamed Ben Romdhane barely four minutes after halftime, making him the hero for the home team.
The striker caught a long pass floating by defender Yassine Meriah, outran his two defenders, and with his left foot shot past the goalkeeper into the bottom corner.
With five minutes left, substitute Adem Redjem gave the visitors some hope when he pounced on a loose ball after goalkeeper Moez Ben Cherifia mishandled a skillfully struck shot from the edge of the box.
In an effort to shock the home team, Kabylie increased their pressure, but Cherifia stood firm to ensure that his team advanced to the knockout stages of Africa’s premier club football league.
Esperance will now advance to the competition’s final four and face Egyptian heavyweights and record-holders Al Ahly in the semifinals.
The first leg of the match will be contested in Tunisia against Ahly, with the return match taking place in Cairo one week later.