Beaten 0-1 in Misrata, Espérance de Tunis host Al-Swehly this Saturday in Radès (17:00 GMT). Spanish coach Pablo Franco must do without the suspended Youcef Belaïli to turn the tie around against the Libyan champions.
Espérance Sportive de Tunis must put things right at the Stade Olympique de Radès. On Saturday 24 October, with kick-off set for 17:00 GMT (18:00 Tunis time), they host Al-Swehly in the second leg of the CAF Champions League second preliminary round.
In the first leg, played on 18 October in Misrata, the Libyan club caused an upset by winning 1-0. The only goal came from the penalty spot in the 64th minute through Ayoub Ayed, a Tunisian midfielder at Al-Swehly. A narrow scoreline, but one heavy with consequences for an Espérance side that has won the CAF Champions League four times and now risks an early exit in the qualifying rounds.
Franco without his playmaker
Pablo Franco will have to find a way through without Youcef Belaïli, suspended for this second leg. A major absentee going into a match where they must score at least once to level the tie, and probably more to be safe.
The Spanish coach will therefore have to find other solutions. The task is no formality: they will have to break down a Libyan defence that has not yet conceded in this campaign.
Al-Swehly, the defence that does not crack
Reigning Libyan champions, Al-Swehly are playing the very first continental campaign in their history. Their coach, Hamadi Kouiri, can count on an iron defence: the club conceded no goals in the first preliminary round against KVZ, nor in the first leg against Espérance.
In midfield, the Libyan club field the Ghanaian Kwasi Sibo, who has attracted interest from the Black Stars, as well as Ayoub Ayed, scorer of the only goal of the first leg. An opponent that defends well and has shown it knows how to take its chances.
A group stage place at stake
The winner on aggregate over the two matches goes straight into the 16-team group stage of the Champions League. For Espérance, the stakes are therefore clear: avoid leaving the competition prematurely.
For Al-Swehly, the opportunity is historic: qualification for the group stage in their very first continental participation. The match is played on Saturday at the Stade Olympique de Radès, at 18:00 Tunis time.