Étoile Sportive du Sahel is gearing up for a crucial African Champions League campaign with revenge in mind. Two years ago, the Sousse-based club suffered a painful semi-final exit at the hands of Al Ahly of Cairo, winning the first leg 2-1 but then collapsing 6-2 in the return leg. That devastating defeat has lingered in the memories of ESS supporters, who are eager to see their team respond with both determination and style this season.
Having regained their composure, Yassine Chikhaoui and his teammates approach the tournament without an inferiority complex. Placed in a relatively manageable Group B alongside Al Ahly, Al Hilal of Sudan, and FC Platinum of Zimbabwe, Étoile du Sahel has a genuine opportunity to assert itself and contend for the prestigious trophy, which it has already won once in its history.
The campaign begins this Friday in Radès with a highly anticipated home clash against Al Ahly. The team’s focus will be on applying lessons from the bitter semi-final defeat, maintaining discipline and tactical control to avoid a repeat of past disappointments. ESS supporters hope that the players can combine effective football with a positive result to finally exact revenge on the Cairo giants and set a strong tone for the rest of the group stage.
