Will Espérance de Tunis approach this Sunday’s match with caution? Indeed, five players under coach Nabil Maaloul are at risk of receiving a yellow card, which would result in their suspension for the final return leg.
In Alexandria, the reigning champions will face Al Ahly, recognized as the best African club of the 20th century by CAF in 2000. Players Sahem Derbali, Harrison Afful, Hocine Ragued, Madji Traoui, and Youssef Belaïli are all on thin ice.
The potential suspensions have added an element of strategy to Espérance’s approach. Midfielder Hocine Raguet commented, “Even if we are the title holders, we must not make ourselves the favorites… If we have an advantage, it is perhaps that of receiving for the back…”
The team, while not considering themselves favorites, aims to manage the situation carefully on Sunday to secure their position for the final on November 17 at their home ground in Radès. Despite the challenges, Raguet asserts that Espérance is “not afraid” of the Cairo National. Given the similar playing styles of the two teams, he anticipates an “open and undecided” match.
