Cardoso: Esperance ready to seize TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 'dream'

Esperance head coach Miguel Cardoso has spoke of his burning ambition to guide the Tunisian giants to a fifth TotalEnergies CAF Champions League triumph.

The Blood and Gold take on Egyptian rivals Al Ahly in the first leg of this year's final in Tunis on Saturday, aiming to gain an advantage ahead of next week's decisive return in Cairo.

For Portuguese coach Cardoso, who only took over in January, it would represent the biggest achievement of his nomadic coaching career to date.

"We are now in the final, and we will face a tough match. We are ready for this challenge, and I want to win this title," said the 52-year-old.

"We are happy with our journey in the CAF Champions League this season. We have a dream, and the players are the ones who can achieve it because dreaming alone is not enough.

"My job as a coach is to help the team fulfill this dream."

Esperance are aiming to be crowned African champions for the first time since completing a historic back-to-back triumph in 2019.

While respectful of the challenge posed by 11-time winners Al Ahly, Cardoso insists his players will leave nothing out on the pitch in their quest for glory.

"The final is decided by small details, and I have asked the players to stay focused," he stated.

"Now, we will enjoy this final, and the most important thing is to give our all and not fall short in our duty to the club. Esperance is well-prepared mentally, and certainly, our opponent Al Ahly is too."

One of those players tasked with driving Esperance towards the promised land is midfielder Zakaria Al-Ayeb.

The Tunisian international is well aware of the enormity of the task facing his side over the two legs against the reigning champions.

"The final will not be easy, and we hope to stay focused until the last minute of the game, especially since there is still the return match in Egypt," said Al-Ayeb.

"We know that Al Ahly, like Esperance, is a great team."

At the same time, the 26-year-old spoke of the sheer desire within the Esperance ranks to etch their name into the club's illustrious history.

"We are playing the CAF Champions League final and we must stay focused and do the work required to achieve victory," he added.

"Esperance fans live for the CAF Champions League, and we strive to win this title. We will give our 100% during the match.

"As players, we have discussed among ourselves our goal of winning the fifth continental title and qualifying for the Club World Cup with the fifth star."

History awaits the winners, while the losers face an agonising watch. Battle lines have been drawn for the latest epic African club encounter.