Esperance eyes comeback for Jacques Diarra and Mohamed Drager ahead of Al Ahly showdown

Esperance de Tunis is leaving no stone unturned as they gear up to host Al Ahly in the first leg of the African Champions League quarter-finals on Sunday.

The Tunisian giants are making intensive efforts to ensure key players Jacques Diarra and Mohamed Drager are ready for the crucial encounter.

Both Diarra and Drager have been undergoing individual training sessions and are nearing a return to full group training, a boost that would significantly strengthen Esperance’s squad ahead of the high-stakes fixture.

The club’s medical and technical staff are working tirelessly to ensure that both players can participate in the match, emphasizing the importance of their fitness for the team’s ambitions in Africa’s premier club competition.

The first leg, scheduled for 11 pm at the Rades Stadium in Tunisia, has already seen tickets sell out, reflecting the high anticipation among fans for this marquee clash. In a unique gesture, Esperance also decided to open the stands of their training stadium to supporters ahead of the match, allowing fans a closer look at preparations and a chance to cheer on their team in the lead-up to the game.

The return leg is set for March 21 at Cairo Stadium, where Al Ahly will look to overturn any deficit and secure their spot in the semi-finals. Esperance, meanwhile, is determined to capitalize on home advantage and the return of their duo to assert dominance in the first leg.

With the stakes so high, the potential reintegration of Diarra and Drager could prove pivotal. Esperance’s technical staff remain confident that both players will be fit in time, giving the team a full-strength lineup as they aim to outmaneuver the Egyptian giants on home soil. Fans will be watching closely, hoping for a strong performance that sets the tone for the return leg in Cairo.