This club lives for titles – Roger Aholou

·      We cannot leave anything to chance

·      Every opportunity counts

·      Aholou looking to help Espérance to a TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final

Since joining Tunisian giants, Espérance Sportive de Tunis at the beginning of this year, Togolese midfielder Roger Aholou has settled in Miguel Cardoso’s side that is now on the verge of qualifying for next month’s TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final.

The 30-year-old midfield maestro, who joined the club from Moroccan giants, Raja Casablanca spoke to CAFOnline ahead of their all-important Semi-Finals second leg clash against Mamelodi Sundowns on Friday evening. 

After the victory against Sundowns, what state of mind are you in before the second round?

We are focused on our goal. The team is very diligent in training. We want to have a good match and qualify for the final. It obviously won’t be easy but we have to give it our best and push hard for a place in the final

What will be the keys to winning this match?

We cannot leave anything to chance. Every ball and every opportunity counts.  We will have to be tactically in sharp, defensively sound and if luck is on our side, we might get a goal. We need to remain focused throughout the match.

You recently joined Espérance. What makes this club so special?

I chose Esperance de Tunis, because it is a team that plays African competitions every year. It’s a team that has ambition, that lives for titles. As a player, you want to play in such competitive environments and that is why I decided to join this big club.

There is also a man who is essential to your integration into this club, it is Miguel Cardoso. What kind of a coach is he?

He is a great professional and an unbelievable hard worker. I am grateful for the trust he has placed in me in such an important position in the club.

A word for the supporters ahead of the big clash?

It is always a joy to see them push and motivate us, whether on the road or at home. They are always present, they do not let us go. They are our source of motivation and we are truly thankful for them and will try our best to make them proud on Friday