Esperance coach Miguel Cardoso is not losing hope as they face Al Ahly in the return leg final of the CAF Champions League on Saturday.

With the first leg in Tunisia ending in a goalless stalemate, the tie is delicately poised, with defences very much on top after a tactical chess match in Rades.

At the heart of those rock-solid rearguards have been two stoppers who have emerged as revelations after being handed their chance due to injuries to Ahly captain Mohamed El Shenawy and Esperance’s Moez Ben Cherifia respectively.

Cardoso, who has rebuilt his managerial reputation in Tunisia after a torrid stint at AEK Athens, is similarly wary of the challenge awaiting his side.

“We were unable to capitalise on our chances in the first leg,” the Portuguese said. “Hopefully it’ll be a different story in Cairo. It was disappointing not being able to exploit home advantage, but this final is far from settled.”