CAF Champions League: Esperance defender Ibrahima Keita returns from suspension ahead of Al Ahly showdown

Esperance de Tunis have been boosted by the return of full-back Ibrahima Keita as the team gears up for the high-stake CAF Champions League clash against Al Ahly.

The Malian defender returns after serving a suspension for accumulating three yellow cards during the group stage, providing French coach Patrice Beaumelle with a key defensive option for the two-legged showdown.

The first leg is scheduled for March 15 in Rades, with the return leg set for March 21 at Cairo Stadium. The matches will be officiated by Senegalese referee Issa Sy, who will be assisted by Gabriel Camara, Noah Bangura, and Abdallah Diouf. Video assistant referees Ahmed Imtiaz Hiral of Mauritius and Gerson Emilio dos Santos of Angola will oversee VAR duties.

Sy has a mixed history with Al Ahly, having overseen a 5-2 loss to Sundowns in the 2023 group stage and a 1-0 victory against Eagle Noir earlier this season.

Adding another layer of intrigue to the tie, Al Ahly midfielder Mohamed Ali Ben Ramadan will face his former club, Esperance, in what promises to be a tense and tightly contested encounter.

With Keita back in the squad, Esperance will hope to leverage their full-strength lineup to secure an advantage before heading to Cairo for the decisive second leg.