Esperance edge past ASEC on penalties to secure semi-final place

Tunisian side Esperance secured a spot in the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League after defeating Ivorian club ASEC 4-2 in a dramatic penalty shootout on Saturday night.

The second-leg, quarter-final encounter  in the Ivorian capital of Abidjan saw both teams locked in a goalless stalemate at the end of regular time. 

With the aggregate score level, the match was decided by a nerve-wracking penalty shootout, with Esperance emerging victorious.

With a goalless draw in both legs, Esperance Tunis emerged victorious in the penalty shootout, with goalkeeper Amanallah Memmiche making crucial saves against Christian Kouamé and Salifou Diarrassouba, sealing a 4-2 triumph. 

This victory propels Esperance into the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League for the 16th time in its illustrious history. 

They will now face South African outfit Mamelodi Sundowns in the next stage, who secured their own semi-final berth on Friday after a penalty shootout victory over Tanzanian side Young Africans.

Playing at the Stade Félix-Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan, ASEC Mimosas displayed a more assertive approach compared to the first leg. 

Although Esperance maintained possession dominance, with over 60% possession by halftime, ASEC created some dangerous opportunities. 

However, these efforts failed to ignite the match significantly.

Anthony Tra Bi Tra's defensive error almost cost ASEC dearly, but a last-ditch effort saved the day. 

Similarly, Esperance's defence faced a moment of panic, but Memmiche's decisive intervention prevented the visiting side from going down.

Esperance approached the second half with renewed determination, with Osama Bougherra and Rodrigo squandering chances in the 51st and 54th minutes respectively.

In the closing stages of the match, ASEC piled pressure on Esperance's defence in search of a winning goal, but the Tunisian players held firm to ensure the match ended goalless, leading to a penalty shootout.

Esperance goalkeeper Memmiche proved to be the hero during the shootout, saving the second and third penalties by Koffi and Diarrassouba. 

Meanwhile, Esperance's players successfully converted all their penalties to secure their place in the semi-finals.

With their eyes set on continental glory, Esperance will now prepare to face Mamelodi Sundowns in what promises to be an exhilarating semi-final showdown in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.