Esperance booked their place in the CAF Champions League quarterfinals with a composed 2-0 victory over Petro de Luanda at the Stade Hammadi-Agrebi.
After a tense first half in which chances were limited, the Tunisian giants exploded into life straight after the interval. Just 46 seconds into the second half, substitute Chiheb Jbeli slipped a clever pass into Aboubacar Diakite, who kept his cool to slot home the opener and lift the noise levels in Rades.
Petro, needing a result to keep their own hopes alive, tried to respond but struggled to turn their 58% possession into real danger, failing to register a single shot on target.
Esperance, by contrast, remained patient and clinical. With nine minutes left, Jack Diarra settled the contest, arriving in the box to guide in Moez Ben Haj Ali’s low cross for 2-0 and spark early celebrations in the stands. Esperance finished with 15 shots and two big chances, fully deserving their win and top-two finish in Group D.
Next up, Esperance visit AS Soliman in Ligue I on Tuesday, while Petro de Luanda turn their focus back to domestic action after their continental exit.
