Tunisian giants, Espérance on Tuesday evening beat counterparts Township Rollers of Botswana 4 – 1 in a game played in Tunis, in the CAF champions league.
The Southern Africans who together with KCCA FC of Uganda were earlier projected as underdogs in Group A as they were playing Group stages for the first time, entered the game with high chances of topping the Group if they had outshined the hosts.
However, striker M. Bellaili of the North African side poured cold water on Rollers’ hopes, when he put the ball in the back of the net in the 26th minute.
The guests equalized through Segolane Boy in the 42nd minute who netted a wonderful free kick, ending first half tied at one goal.
At the start of the second half, Esperance’s Badri, hit the ball past Rollers’ shot stopper Mwampule Masule, to give hosts an early goal into the second half.
In the 73rd minute, Township Rollers introduced Edwin Moalosi in place of Bogosi Mfila as they pushed for an equalizer, only to be shocked with a goal from B. Mejri in the 79th minute.
The seemingly momentous Tunisians piled more pressure against visitors, resulting into yet another goal from striker A. Badri in the added time of the game.
Esperance’s win places it top of group A with 4 points ahead of the Ugandan side KCCA FC which has 3 points which is tied with Rollers which is third, but with a better goal difference. Eight time African giants Al Ahly sit bottom in the group with only a point.
Esperance, also two time African champions, will on July 17 host KCCA FC in Tunis before travelling to Kampala for a return game in a fortnight on July 27.
It will then travel to Gaborone and play against Township Rollers on August 17 before ending their group stage journey at home against Egyptian giants Al Ahly FC on August 28.
Group A standings
Esperance 4
KCCA FC 3
Tsh.Rollers 3
Al Ahly 1