Esperance new coach Patrice Beaumelle labels Al Ahly Champions League clash as major challenge

Esperance de Tunis tactician Patrice Beaumelle says facing Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League quarterfinals will be his first major challenge.

The former Angola gaffer recently took over the Tunisian giants, replacing Tunisian coach Maher Kanzari.

Speaking after his unveiling, Beaumelle asserted his first major challenge will be facing the Egyptian giants in the Champions League.

“I know the Esperance team well and have been following them for a while, and I jumped on the bandwagon because I am confident in what I will offer.”

“Facing Al Ahly will be the first major challenge for me and my coaching staff.” he concluded.

Esperance officially announced Beaumelle as their new head coach on Saturday, signing a contract that will keep him at the club until 2027.

Beaumelle ended his experience with the Angolan national team a few days ago to arrive in Tunisia and finalize his agreement with Esperance.

Esperance are preparing to face Al Ahly in the quarter-finals of the African Champions League next month.

Beaumelle worked as an assistant to his compatriot Hervé Renard in the coaching staff of the national teams of Morocco, Zambia and Ivory Coast.

Before taking over the coaching of the Ivory Coast national team, then the Algerian Union team, then Umm Salal of Qatar, and finally the Angolan national team.

Al Ahly are scheduled to meet Esperance at Rades Stadium in the first leg of the quarter-finals on Friday, March 13, with the return leg to be played on March 20.