Espérance Sportive de Tunis (EST) are set to travel to Morocco on Wednesday to face Wydad Casablanca in the first leg of the 2019 African Champions League final. The Tunisian club’s management has confirmed the squad for the crucial trip, highlighting their intent to challenge for the continental title.
The technical staff called up a 23-player squad for the journey, including key figures such as Rami Jeridi, Moez Ben Cherifia, Ali Jmal, Sameh Derbali, Ayman Ben Mohamed, Mohamed Amine Meskini, Khalil Chammam, Chamseddine Dhaouadi, Iheb Mbarki, Mohamed Ali Yaakoubi, Franck Kom, Fousseny Coulibaly, Ghailane Chaalali, Saad Beguir, Anice Badri, Hamdou El Houni, Edem Rejaibi, Bilel Mejri, Junior Lukosa, Youssef Belaili, Haythem Jouini, and Taha Yassine Khenissi. The selection reflects a balanced mix of defensive stability, midfield creativity, and attacking firepower, aimed at coping with the high demands of a Champions League final.
Upon arrival in Rabat, the players will undergo a recovery session under the supervision of team trainer Sabri Bouazizi. This will help the squad adapt to travel fatigue and ensure they are physically ready for the match. A single full training session is scheduled for Thursday at the Moulley Abdallah Stadium, the venue for Friday’s match. The session will focus on tactical preparations, set-piece routines, and final adjustments tailored to counter Wydad’s style of play.
The first leg of the final is scheduled for Friday, May 24th, and EST will be looking to secure a strong result away from home before returning to Tunisia for the decisive second leg. The encounter represents a major milestone for Espérance, as the club aims to add to its illustrious continental history.
Preparations have been meticulous, with the coaching staff emphasizing both physical readiness and mental focus. Key players such as Youssef Belaili and Taha Yassine Khenissi are expected to play pivotal roles, bringing experience and finishing ability to EST’s attacking efforts. Midfielders like Ghailane Chaalali and Fousseny Coulibaly will be tasked with controlling the tempo of the game and linking defense with attack. Meanwhile, the defensive line, led by Khalil Chammam and Mohamed Ali Yaakoubi, will be charged with neutralizing Wydad’s offensive threats.
Fans of Espérance will be following the team closely, hoping for a favorable result that will put the Tunisian side in a strong position ahead of the return leg. The club’s management has stressed the importance of focus, discipline, and teamwork, underlining that every detail in preparation counts in a match of this magnitude.
With the squad finalized, travel plans in place, and training sessions scheduled, Espérance Sportive de Tunis appear well-prepared for their showdown in Rabat. The first leg against Wydad Casablanca promises to be an intense and closely contested battle, with both sides vying for continental glory and the opportunity to lift Africa’s most prestigious club trophy.
