Esperance arrives first at the quarters table

Esperance managed to book an early ticket to the quarter finals after taking down Horoya 2-0 in Rades, Tunisia, on Friday.

The holders scored a goal in each half. The first was an own goal by Horoya defender Hamed Assoko, while Franck Kom netted the second later in the game to seal victory.

Youcef Belaili kicked things off for the defending champions with a free-kick after only two minutes but his attempt lacked precision.

Another free-kick 21 minutes later, Esperance captain Khalil Chamam stepped up to the plate. His well-executed shot found Horoya defender, Assoko, who’s intervention resulted in an own goal that would put Esperance into the lead.

Esperance were throwing their might at Horoya who were struggling to fend off their opponent’s pressure.

At the half-hour mark, a cross from Ayman Ben Mohamed landed to Belaili but Horoya goalkeeper Moussa Camara was ready to clear the threat and save the shot.

Horoya’s first attempt came five minutes before the break when a Bonifice Haba header was saved by Esperance goalkeeper, Rami Jridi.

Esperance returned from the break more determined to secure a comfortable lead. The defending champions had their minds set on booking an early ticket to the final eight.

On 59 minutes, Anice Badri took a shot at goal but Camara was ready with a save and Horoya defenders jumped in to clear the rebound danger.

With seven minutes remaining, Esperance’s efforts paid off when Badri’s free-kick landed between Khenissi’s feet, who passed to Kom. The latter didn’t think twice before firing the shot that would double the score for Esperance and take them on to the quarters, after South Africa’s Orlando Pirates were held to a 2-2 draw by Zimbabwean visitors FC Platinum in the other Group A clash in Johannesburg.

The win solidified Esperance’s position at the top of Group B on 11 points, four richer than Horoya. Pirates trail on six points with FC Platinum at the bottom with two points after five matches.

**Reactions

Mouine Chaabani (Head Coach, Esperance de Tunis)

**It was a much needed qualification today after the heavy pace of important games. It was a chance for us to play pressure-free next week and secure the 1st place in the group. We knew from the start that it wasn’t going to be an easy game. Horoya is a big team that has great players. We found some difficulties after the 1st goal but we managed to fix that in the 2nd half. The players take all the credit for this qualification.

**Haythem Jouini (Forward, Esperance de Tunis)

**It was a good game, no surprise coming from two big teams. We played an excellent team today. These 3 points are what we need to put us at the top of the group. The early qualification will allow us to play at ease and give certain players some rest after the fast pace of games and I am hoping that the best is yet to come.

**Patrice Neveu (Head Coach, Horoya A.C)

**I am very satisfied with my players and the performance they gave today. We were lacking in experience and conceded the first goal from a foul that could have been avoided. Despite all, my team showed great performance in the two matches against Esperance. This was the result of many hours of work. We lacked the finishing touches in some of our attempts. Our objective still remains to make it through the group stage.