Wydad Casablanca and Espérance de Tunis played to a 1-1 draw on Friday night in Rabat in the first leg of the CAF Champions League final. Wydad, reduced to ten men after captain Brahim Nakach was sent off early in the second half (50th minute), managed to salvage a late equalizer and almost snatched a victory. Ivorian Fousseny Coulibaly had given the defending champions, Espérance de Tunis, the lead just before halftime (44th minute), while his compatriot Cheikh Ibrahim Comara scored for Wydad in the 79th minute.
After the match, Wydad coach Faouzi Benzarti praised both teams for their performances. “I want to congratulate both teams for the good football they played. The match wasn’t easy, and the 1-1 draw between two great teams like WAC and EST suggests the return leg will be difficult,” he said. Benzarti also expressed satisfaction with his players’ resilience, highlighting their ability to equalize even when down to ten men, and emphasized that the return leg would be decisive, with the title likely to be decided by fine margins.
Benzarti, 69, is a seasoned tactician who won the CAF Champions League in 1994 with Espérance de Tunis, marking the first of his five appearances in the final. His experience in high-pressure continental finals will be a key factor as Wydad prepares for the second leg.
The return leg is scheduled for May 31 at the Radès Stadium, in the suburbs of Tunis. Both sides will now focus on preparation for this crucial encounter, knowing that every goal and tactical decision will be pivotal in determining the champion of Africa’s top club competition. Wydad will look to capitalize on their ability to perform under pressure, while Espérance will aim to assert their experience as defending champions to secure the title. The tie remains finely balanced after a tense and competitive first leg, setting the stage for an intense conclusion to the 2019 CAF Champions League final.
