Tunisian international goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said saved two penalties to help Espérance secure a 3-1 shootout victory over Libyan outfit Asswehly on Saturday, advancing his side to the CAF Champions League group stage after a 1-1 aggregate draw in Rades.
Fantasy & Market Impact
- Espérance advanced to the group stage in a penalty shootout against Asswehly after a 1-1 aggregate draw in CAF Champions League qualifying.
Ben Said Secures Survival in Rades
Espérance avoided becoming a high-profile casualty in the final round of qualifying by edging African debutants Asswehly on home soil. Following a slender lead taken by the Libyan visitors in the first leg, France-born Imad Faraj leveled the aggregate score after just eight minutes at the Stade Olympique de Radès, flicking in a clever finish after Mouad Al-Mansouri failed to clear a corner from Lucas Ribeiro, as SuperSport reported.
The match remained locked at 1-1 on aggregate through eighty minutes of regulation play. With the tie hanging in the balance, Bechir Ben Said took center stage during the ensuing penalty shootout. The veteran shot-stopper denied Ayoub Ayed’s opening attempt before stopping big-money signing Lameck Banda to seal the contest. Aside from Hamza Rafia missing their second attempt, Espérance converted cleanly under high pressure to claim the shootout 3-1.
Ten Consecutive Group Stage Appearances Secured
The hard-fought victory extends a remarkable club milestone for the Tunis giants. Espérance have now qualified for ten consecutive editions of the CAF Champions League, maintaining their status as a perennial continental powerhouse. Panafricafootball.com noted that the Coupe de Tunisie champions overcame the Libyan Premier League titleholders at the absolute final hurdle of qualifying.
The team must now quickly pivot back to domestic responsibilities. They currently sit second in Tunisia’s Ligue 1 Professionnelle, boasting twelve points from five matches, with domestic silverware remaining an immediate priority alongside continental preparations.
| Club | Opponent | Aggregate Score | Shootout Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Espérance (Tunisia) | Asswehly (Libya) | 1 – 1 | 3 – 1 |
| Zamalek (Egypt) | APR (Rwanda) | 2 – 0 | N/A |
| Pyramids FC (Egypt) | El Merriekh Bentiu (South Sudan) | 5 – 0 | N/A |
Continental Shockwaves Across North Africa
While Espérance survived their scare, the rest of the Champions League qualifying slate delivered high drama and major upsets. Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns crashed out in a shocking exit on Friday, falling to Angolan club Wiliete on away goals following a 1-1 aggregate stalemate, according to SuperSport.
Egyptian giants experienced contrasting fortunes. Five-time champions Zamalek squeezed past Rwandan army outfit APR courtesy of a first-minute strike from Ahmed Sherif, securing a 2-0 aggregate win. Meanwhile, Pyramids FC underlined their status as serious contenders by hammering El Merriekh Bentiu 4-0 on the night—featuring a quickfire double from Abdelrahman Magdy—to advance 5-0 on aggregate. Coached by 39-year-old South African Rulani Mokwena, Pyramids carry a flawless start into the 16-club mini-league phase.
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