Esperance de Tunis coach Miguel Cardoso commented on his side's Cuff Champions League semi-final match against Mamelodi Sundowns. The Portuguese coach warned his wards to be ready for another ball game against the DStv Premiership side. After qualifying for the final four stage, he commented:
Saint-E-Or, also known as Esperance de Tunis, advanced after defeating Acec Mimosa 4-2 in a post-match penalty shootout on Saturday night. Cardoso said in a post-match interview on the club's website: Get ready for sundown in two weeks. That will be another story, but we are confident in our abilities. ” The website added that the semi-final match “will be a duel of giants between the two strongest teams on the continent.”
Esperance de Tunis leader's warning
The Tunisians booked a spot in the semi-finals after defeating Asek Mimosa 4-2 in a post-match penalty shootout in Ivory Coast on Saturday night. Esperance de Tunis held Ivory Coast to a fruitless draw at home in regulation time in the second leg of the quarter-finals. They are currently awaiting their first leg match against Rulani Mokwena's side on the weekend of April 19, 2024. The reverse match is scheduled for April 26, 2024.
What the statistics say about Esperance de Tunis
It was a tough affair between Esperance de Tunis and Acsec Mimosa. Visitors held slightly larger control at 55 percent. Each team had three shots on target with Cardoso's charge and two shots on target with Acec Mimosa. Both clubs each took two corner kicks. The Tunisian completed 431 passes, compared to 366 for the Ivorian, who adopted a defensive approach hoping to cross the line. However, that was not the case with the post-game penalty. North African goalkeeper Mmishe was the hero, saving two penalties and securing a match against the African Football League champions.
Sundowns VAR controversy
The first leg, played in Tunisia last week, ended goalless. So was Sundowns from Tanzania with the score 0-0. The come-from-behind match also ended 0-0, but was marred by a refereeing dispute as the video assistant referee ignored what Yanga SC felt was a goal when Aziz Ki's shot bounced off the goal line.
However, Mauritanian referee Dahane Beyda, on advice from VAR, ruled that the ball had not crossed the line. Ronwen Williams provided another heroic performance and the hosts went on to win the resulting post-match penalty. Tanzania subsequently lodged a complaint with the African Football Confederation, accusing the referee of incompetence. However, Sundowns will continue to play against Esperance de Tunis.
Percy Tau's Al Ahly also appears
Elsewhere, Percy Tau's Al Ahly defeated Tanzania's Simba SC 1-0 and 2-0 on aggregate on Friday night to book their place in the semi-finals. As a result, the Caf Champions League holders defeated the East African side and achieved a double crown. Marcel Koller's side had won away games by a similar margin. The Egyptians will face TP Mazembe in the semi-finals. The Congolese side pulled off a huge upset in this year's Continental League. They defeated Petro de Luanda 2-1 on Saturday. The Angolans thought they had almost reached the promised land after returning from Lubumbashi with a goalless draw. However, at home, they were stunned when they conceded two goals in the second half. It was the first time the hosts' keeper, Hugo Marquez, had conceded a goal in this tournament.
