Ivorian giants, Asec Mimosas, emerged the happier side on Saturday evening after frustrating Esperance Sportive de Tunis to a goalless stalemate in their CAF Champions League Quarter-Final match
This sets up a thrilling return fixture next weekend in Abidjan, with both teams boasting clean sheets.
Despite being starved of possession; the Ivorians were the first to get a chance at goal after loss of possession in the danger area by Raed Bouchniba concluded with Karidioula Mofosse almost capitalizing on the error but saw his effort go wide off target.
The Tunisians eventually had a sniff at goal just before the half hour mark after Ghaylen Chaleli’s dangerous ball almost caught the keeper off guard, who did just enough to fist it away from danger.
The second half saw the home team, Esperance, continue their attacking efforts. Coach Miguel Cardoso’s decision to introduce fresh legs added much-needed pace to their attack. Substitute Oussema Bouguerra came close to breaking the deadlock with a well-struck shot that beat the keeper but rattled off the woodwork.
Esperance’s midfield sensation, Houssem Tka, also had a chance to be the hero in the 74th minute with a well-placed header, but it sailed just wide.
Despite being under severe pressure throughout the match, the Ivorians did well to absorb and thwart most of the attacks, as they escaped the north African nation with a confidence boosting draw ahead of the return leg next weekend.
Check the CAF Champions league quarter-finals first leg results below:
Friday, 29 March
Simba AC 0 – 1 Al Ahly SC
Saturday, 30 March
TP Mazembe 0 – 0 Atletico Petroleos
Young Africans 0 – 0 Mamelodi Sundowns
Esperance de Tunis 0 – 0 Asec Mimosas
The return leg matches for the CAF Champions League Quarter-Finals will be played on April 5th and 6th.
Source: CAF