Etoile du Sahel snatch dramatic draw to deny Sudanese giants
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Tunisian side Etoile du Sahel produced a stunning last-gasp equaliser to secure a 1-1 draw with Al Hilal in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League on Tuesday.
Sudanese striker Pape Ndiaye had given Al Hilal a half-time lead in Dar es Salaam after netting just before the break.
The goal put Al Hilal on course for a valuable victory as they seek to climb off the bottom of Group C.
But Sahel had other ideas as substitute Salah Barhoumi struck in the 92nd minute to dramatically steal his side a point.
The late twist means both sides edge onto four points apiece with two games remaining but the result has left Al Hilal coach Florent Ibenge disappointed.
"We are really sad for getting only one point instead of six, playing against Etoile.We have to blame ourselves because we played so well but lost concentration at the very end of the game conceding a goal that came as a suprise," Ibenge said at the post match press conference.
"It is not over yet as we have two more matches in February hopefully we will make amends and get the elusive win."
Etoile coach Imed Ben Younes hailed his players for fighting to the end of the game to get the result.
"I want to thank my players for fighting to the end and that enabled us to get a point which is very important," the Etoile coach Ben Younes said after the match.
"Hilal were very tactical today but we kept on pushing them then we capitalised when they lost concentration at the end. I am happy this draw gives us hope on the group."
The gripping draw leaves Group C finely poised as leaders Petro Atletico with eight points aim to seal first place with second placed Esperance three points adrift.
But Etoile du Sahel and Al Hilal will still harbour hopes of progressing too if results go their way after this thrilling Tanzanian tussle.
