Espérance Sportive de Tunis secured an important 1–0 victory over African giants Al Ahly SC in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the CAF Champions League. The match was played on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at Hammadi Agrebi Stadium in Radès.
The highly anticipated clash between the two North African football powerhouses was marked by intense midfield battles, with both sides struggling to create clear scoring opportunities during the first half.
After the opening 45 minutes ended goalless, Espérance Sportive de Tunis increased their attacking pressure in the second half in search of the breakthrough. Their efforts paid off in the 73rd minute when the referee awarded them a penalty following a foul inside the box.
Defender Mohamed Amine Tougai stepped up to take the penalty and calmly converted it, giving the hosts a 1–0 lead that ultimately proved to be the winning goal.
Following the goal, Al Ahly SC pushed forward with several attacking attempts in the closing minutes, but Espérance’s defense remained solid until the final whistle.
The victory gives Espérance Sportive de Tunis a narrow advantage ahead of the return leg, which will be played at Cairo International Stadium in Egypt, where Al Ahly will need a win to secure a place in the semifinals of Africa’s premier club competition.
The match was part of the first-leg fixtures of the 2025/26 CAF Champions League quarterfinals, which began on Friday, March 13, with the continent’s top eight teams competing for a place in the semifinals.
The result sets up an exciting second leg, as fans await to see whether Al Ahly SC can mount a comeback or if Espérance Sportive de Tunis will hold onto their advantage and advance to the next round.
