Espérance seek end to Al Ahly hoodoo in Champions League quarter-final

Espérance Sportive de Tunis will attempt to end a frustrating run against Egyptian giants Al Ahly SC when the two sides meet in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League on Sunday, 15 March.

The Tunisian club has struggled to overcome its long-standing rival in recent years and has not beaten the Cairo side since the second leg of the 2019 final, when Espérance secured a 3-0 victory to claim the continental title.

Since then, encounters between the teams have largely favoured Al Ahly, reinforcing the perception of Egyptian dominance in this fixture.

The upcoming clash therefore carries significant weight for the Tunis side, which will be eager to change the narrative and revive hopes of another deep run in Africa’s premier club competition.

Ahead of the match, former Espérance midfielder Karim Aouadhi shared his thoughts on what could help the club reverse its fortunes.

Aouadhi, who represented Espérance between 2012 and 2014, believes certain tactical and mental adjustments could be key if the Tunisian side is to overcome its difficult record against the Egyptian champions.

Speaking about the challenge, Aouadhi offered his perspective after being approached for his analysis of the fixture.

His experience at the club, combined with his understanding of high-pressure continental matches, gives weight to his views on how Espérance might approach the tie.

The meeting also comes shortly after the release of the latest rankings from FIFA following the 2025 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, further adding to the sense of anticipation surrounding African football’s current competitive landscape.

Both teams are expected to field strong starting line-ups for the encounter in Tunis.

Probable line-ups

Espérance Sportive de Tunis: Ben Said, Jelassi, Tougai, Drager, Ben Hamida, Ogbelu, Teka, Hadj Ali, Diakité, Diarra, Boualia.

Al Ahly Cairo: Shobeir, Heni, Ibrahim, Riyad, Belamri, Attia, Dieng, Ashour, Zizo, Trezeguet, Otaka.

With a place in the semi-finals at stake, the match offers Espérance a chance not only to gain an advantage in the tie but also to finally end a run of results that has long favoured their Egyptian rivals.