CAF CL - Fireworks in Tunis as Esperance host Mazembe

Key continental cup matches don’t come bigger than Saturday's Total CAF Champions League semi-final clash as three-time winners and holders Esperance Sportive de Tunis host five-time continental champions, Tout Puissant Mazembe (TP Mazembe) in the first leg tie to be played at Stade Olympique in Rades. Incidentally, both sides have had a near faultless campaign this term hence this semi-final pairing certainly has the trappings of a cup final and it would be difficult to predict where the pendulum would swing until after the second leg tie scheduled to hold on 4 May in Lubumbashi. While Esperance remains unbeaten after eight round of matches including a 6-3 aggregate win over CS Constantine of Algeria in the quarter-finals; Mazembe booked their semi-final spot after a 4-1 aggregate win over Simba of Tanzania on the back of seven other wins on the road bar the 3-0 away loss to CS Constantine in the mini-league series. Yet, it would be a case of Deja vu in Tunis since both sides are not new customers at this level and as recent as 2010, Mazembe claimed the scalp of Esperance for their fourth CAF Champions League title following a flattering 6-1 aggregate win in the final, (5-0 win at home in Lubumbashi and 1-1 draw away in Tunis).

Apart from edging out Esperance in 2010, the Congolese side have shown tremendous ability overtime at out-foxing their North African counterparts since they also defeated USM Alger in the 2015 final.

But Esperance’s Nigerian recruit Junior Lokosa remains positive since the Tunisian side have achieved an impregnable status at home over the years and have conceded once this term in the 3-1 quarter-final first leg clash against CS Constantine.

“TP Mazembe are a very good and strong side for that matter; and we have to respect them because they have won the Champions League trophy years ago,” Lokosa who recently teamed up with the Tunisian side from Nigerian side, Kano Pillars told CAFOnline.com. “Though it is going to be a tough one playing against them, I believe we are going to do our best in the first leg match in Tunis in order to secure our position before the second leg.

“Of course, Esperance too are a very good and big club in Africa and I'm happy to be part of the family. Unfortunately, I would not be available for this particular game in Tunis because I had a shoulder injury in our last league game but I’m hopeful we would get a good result even before the second leg.”Indeed, Esperance must be wary of Mazembe ahead of the second leg match to be played at their cauldron in Lubumbashi where they hammered fellows Club Africain 8-0 in the group stage; even as the rank and file of the Congolese side are leaving no stone unturned towards a successful end of the season in both domestic  and continental contests.

“Our goal is to be champion of the Linafoot but we must not forget Vita Club is always present in the race,” noted TP Mazembe’s hero Robert Kidiaba who is currently an assistant to coach Pamphile Mihayo after a goalless draw against Vital Club in a crucial domestic match before their departure to Tunis.

“There was technical waste (against Vita Club) but we have learned the lessons that would serve us in good preparation of the double confrontation against Esperance.

“I cannot say we were satisfied or disappointed with a draw against Vita Club, one of the best teams in the country. We are preparing a big meeting in the Champions League and only tactical lessons are very important to us, " added the 43-year-old who was instrumental to the club’s  last success  four years ago.  Speaking in the same vein, midfielder Michee Mika is equally upbeat about the chances of Mazembe to weather the storm in Tunis , adding the club cannot afford to disappoint its army of fans. “The start of the season has been very difficult, now that we are close to a successful season, we have to be serious to please the fans who are waiting for trophies this season,"noted the 23-year-old player.

Towards achieving a successful season, TP Mazembe recently enlisted the support of their country’s number one citizen President Felix Antoine Tshisekedi who has promised to grace the final should the Ravens as the club is so nicknamed, reach the final.

But Mazembe would certainly have to first overcome the resilient Beast of Africa as Esperance is also known before thinking of annexing the Champions League trophy yet again.

Elsewhere in Casablanca, Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco will renew their rivalry when they face South African champions, Mamelodi Sundowns in Rabat on Friday.