Harrison Afful's Esperance hold on for Ahly win

Harrison Afful's Esperance have beaten Egyptian giants Al Ahly 1-0 in their African Champions League Group B clash in Tunis on Saturday night.

The result was the same as the semifinal, second leg, in last year’s competition that part the Tunisians into the final.


The only goal of the game was scored in the first half by Esperance striker Joseph N'Djeng in front of the paltry 5 000 crowd that was allowed access into the stadium by security officials.


It might have been more for the Tunisians too as Oussama Darragi missed a penalty 20 minutes before full-time that could have given the scoreline a more emphatic look.


The goal from Cameoonian forward N'Djeng came after Darragi flicked a corner on at the near post and the former bundled the ball home with the Ahly defence static.

Ahly striker Mohamed Nagy had two opportunities to draw his side level in the second period, but both efforts were wide of the mark.


The Egyptians applied a lot of pressure in the closing stages, but Esperance held on for the win that leaves them second in Group B on four points, behind Wydad Casablanca on goal-difference.


Ahly and MC Alger each have one point after two matches.