CAF Confederation Cup: Sudan’s Al Ahli Wad Madani surprise Etoile du Sahel

Tunisian giants Etoile Sportive du Sahel have work to do after falling 0-1 to Sudan’s Al Ahli Wad Madani in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup qualifying clash.

Khaled Sanja arrived to finish from close range after Al Ahli Wad Madani caught the Etoile defense sleeping on a quick throw-in in Saturday’s first leg.

Forced to host the clash at the Azam Complex in Tanzania due to the ongoing conflict in Sudan, the Sudanese club showed strong resilience to give themselves an advantage before a difficult second leg back in Tunisia. Al Ahli Wad Madani remained in Dar es Salaam after taking part in the CECAFA Kagame Cup.

Etoile’s key players struggled to make an impact as the hosts held the favorites to a first half stalemate. The Tunisian club attempted to push for a late breakthrough but quick thinking from Saturday’s winners made the difference. In the 85th minute, an Al Ahli Wad Madani counter-attack was held up on the sidelines, but tricky dribbling on the left wing led to a cross for Sanja to finish first-time.

The two teams will meet again a week’s time in Sousse, where Etoile will be expected to overturn the deficit. However, plenty remains to be decided with Ahli, who qualified by virtue of finishing third in the Sudanese Premier League, proving they are more than capable of shocking the two-time Confederation Cup champions.