Espérance Sportive de Tunis will host Wydad Athletic Club this Friday, May 31, at the Stade de Radès for the second leg of the 2018–2019 CAF Champions League final. Following a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Rabat, Espérance enters the match with a slight advantage, having scored an away goal that could prove decisive in retaining the trophy on home soil.
Majdi Traoui, assistant coach of the Tunisian side, expressed confidence ahead of the decisive encounter. “After a first leg well negotiated in Morocco with a 1-1 draw, which I consider positive, we still have a second-leg final in front of our public to seal the fate of the competition,” Traoui stated. He emphasized that a final is meant to be won and that his team is prepared for every possible scenario. “We need to play our usual game, as we did in Morocco, and stay focused to avoid any unpleasant surprises,” he added.
Despite several absences in the squad, including key players such as goalkeeper Moez Ben Cherifia, defender Chamseddine Dhaouadi, and midfielder Ghailane Chaalali, Traoui remained optimistic. He believes that the experience within the Espérance squad will be crucial in navigating the challenges of the final. “We have a group with the experience required for this high-level competition, and it is up to us to find the solutions to negotiate the match well,” he said. The team is aware that Wydad, having failed to secure a win in the first leg, must score at least once to keep their hopes alive, giving Espérance a strategic advantage.
The assistant coach also highlighted the importance of playing in front of a home crowd. “Playing in the final of the most prestigious African competition remains an honor for any player, and we have confidence in our group and in our abilities, especially as we will be playing in front of our home crowd in Radès, where we remain formidable,” Traoui noted. The support of the fans is expected to provide an additional boost to the team as they aim to capitalize on their home advantage.
Tensions are likely to run high during the match, not only due to the stakes of the final but also because of controversies from the first leg. Numerous protests from Moroccan supporters regarding refereeing decisions in Rabat have added an extra layer of intensity to the upcoming game. Both teams will be keenly aware of the pressure, and every decision on the pitch could prove critical.
With both clubs among Africa’s elite, the second leg promises to be a thrilling, high-stakes contest. Espérance’s combination of experience, home support, and tactical preparation positions them as slight favorites, but Wydad will undoubtedly fight to overturn the deficit. Fans on both sides are anticipating a tense, closely contested match where resilience, focus, and composure will determine the champion of African club football.
As kickoff approaches at the Stade de Radès, all eyes will be on the players and coaches, with Espérance seeking to defend their title and Wydad aiming to claim glory on Tunisian soil. The second leg of the CAF Champions League final is set to be an unforgettable showdown in African football history.
