Beaten 1-0 in the first leg by Al-Swehly, Espérance de Tunis go into the return leg in Radès without suspended Algeria international winger Youcef Belaïli, and in a tense atmosphere after the club’s official protest over comments made by Libya Sport.
Espérance de Tunis are preparing for the second leg of the CAF Champions League second preliminary round in a tense atmosphere, reports Kawarji. Surprised in the first leg by the Libyan side (1-0 defeat), the Tunis club must overturn the scoreline this weekend at the Stade Olympique de Radès, where a place in the next round is at stake.
That context is compounded by the suspension of Youcef Belaïli, the Blood and Gold’s Algeria international winger. Punished by the disciplinary committee after the red card he received following the final whistle, he will, according to La Presse de Tunisie, be absent for the return leg.
A squad cut off from the outside world
The Espérance management have ordered fully closed-door training sessions this week to protect the squad, reports Kawarji. The measure is intended to isolate the players ahead of a decisive fixture.
The Tunis club have also officially protested against comments made by the Libya Sport channel and demanded a public apology, again according to Kawarji. The controversy thus adds to the defeat suffered against Al-Swehly, the side that surprised Espérance in the first leg.
Belaïli, the creator missing
According to La Presse de Tunisie, Belaïli’s absence deprives the Blood and Gold attack of its main creative force. The coach must completely rethink his wide play to overturn the scoreline in Radès, Kawarji specifies.
The length of the Algerian winger’s suspension is not specified in the available information: only his non-participation in the return leg is established.
Radès awaits its crowd
Espérance supporters are mobilising to fill the stands of the Stade Olympique de Radès, according to Kawarji. For its part, CAF has reminded clubs of the strict security protocols for the return match in Tunis, reports CAF Online.
Elimination would be a major earthquake in this 2026-2027 Champions League, CAF Online stresses, highlighting Espérance’s status as a continental heavyweight.