Tunisia’s Esperance dropped potential vital points on Saturday in their opening MTN CAF Champions League Group B match, held to a goalless draw by ASEC Mimosas from Cote d’Ivoire in Tunis.

Follow up:

Esperance were unable to set up any clear chances against a solid Ivorian defence but did strike the woodwork twice with long range efforts in the first half.


Saber Khalifa’s shot struck the upright in the 18th minute and a floated cross by Hicham Aboucheroune rattled the crossbar before the interval.


But Esperance, fielding four
new signings, were often caught square by ASEC’s quick counter attack, led by the pace of the Ivorian club’s Idrissu Abdul Nafiu.


Nafiu almost scored in the last 10 minutes when he caught Esperance goalkeeper Hamdi Kasraoui in possession but the goalkeeper scrambled back to clear off his line.


Esperance had two shots blocked in their final attack of the match deep in stoppage time.


Holders Al Ahly of Egypt open their Group B campaign against Al Hilal of Sudan in Cairo on Sunday.


On Friday, Al Ittihad of Libya won the opening Group A match with a 1-0 home triumph over JS Kabylie of Algeria.






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