CAF Champions League: Espérance de Tunis takes the lead over Al Ahly

Africa 15 March 2026 at 19:28

Nouya M'toama

News Editor

In a tense first-leg quarterfinal clash, Espérance Sportive de Tunis secured a vital 1-0 victory over Al Ahly SC this Sunday, thanks to a second-half penalty converted by Algerian defender Mohamed Amine Tougai.

It was a North African showdown this Sunday at the Rades Stadium. Espérance Sportive de Tunis took the upper hand at home against Al Ahly in the first leg of the CAF Champions League quarterfinals. After a cross from Ibrahima Keïta into the box, Mohamed Hany's handball prompted a decisive VAR intervention, giving Tougai the chance to step up and beat Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir from the spot. This lone goal not only gives EST their first Champions League win over Al Ahly since 2018, but also ends a six-match winless run against the Egyptian champions.

A tightly contested match until the end

The first half was dominated by caution. Both goalkeepers, Bechir Ben Saïd for EST and Shobeir for Al Ahly, stood out with sharp reflex saves, notably on long-range efforts from Ahmed Sayed “Zizo” and Achraf Bencharki. The tempo slowed in the second half, but the visitors kept pressing, forcing Ben Saïd into action twice to maintain the lead.

Espérance de Tunis will now head to Cairo for the return leg holding a slim advantage. The match will be played behind closed doors, a detail that could influence both teams’ strategies—especially with Al Ahly determined to overturn the deficit on home turf.