Memorable comeback for 10-man Etoile

Tunisian giants, Etoile du Sahel, achieved a memorable comeback to reach the Total CAF Champions League group stage, defeating Ghanaian counterpart, Asante Kotoko, 3-0 yesterday in Monastir, to overturn their away 2-0 defeat and qualify on a 3-2 aggregate victory.

The 2007 champions entered the return leg in Monastir, outside their regular Sousse base due to renovation process at the Sousse Olympic Stadium, but this didn’t stop Les Diables Rouges from performing a great comeback to reach the group stage in grand style, despite ending the game with 10 men.

Defender Mortadha Ben Ouanes gave Etoile the lead from the spot after 25 minutes, halving the aggregate deficit and ending the first half with a 1-0 lead for the host.

After the break Etoile continued piling pressure, and seven minutes after the hour mark, Karim Aribi doubled their lead.

But the host were dealt a blow a few minutes later when Saddan Ben Aziza was shown a direct red card. Kotoko tried to make use of their numerical advantage and score what could have been a vital away goal.

And with penalties looming on, Aribi managed to score with a perfect header five minutes from time to give his side a famous victory, and a place in the group stage.

Kotoko will now have to shift attention to the second tier CAF Confederation Cup playoff round.