CAF Champions League: Espérance stun Al Ahly for semifinal place to complete Egyptian misery

Egypt’s top clubs were sent packing from the CAF Champions League on Saturday with Africa’s Club of the 20th Century, Al Ahly, joining Pyramids FC in being eliminated from the quarterfinals following a 2-3 second leg defeat at home to Tunisian giants Espérance Tunis.

Trezeguet’s early goal appeared to send the hosts on course to overturn a 0-1 deficit from the first leg but an improved effort from the Tunisian visitors saw them do enough to secure semifinal qualification by a 4-2 aggregate score.

Former Aston Villa star Trezeguet was influential in the first half and he leveled the aggregate score in the 12th minute. After Aliou Dieng was played in on the right wing, the Malian midfielder’s low cross found Trezeguet for a shot that was blocked before the Egypt national team winger followed up with another strike to beat EST goalkeeper Bechir Ben Saïd.

The Ahly captain was on a mission in the first half, forcing Ben Saïd into a couple more saves as he attempted to put the hosts into the lead on the aggregate score.

EST bounce back in the 2nd half for CAF Champions League glory

The pressure seemed too much for the Tunisian champions to hold on, but after keeping the aggregate score level at halftime, they returned to the pitch for a much-improved performance in the second half. And in the 68th minute, it was French forward Florian Danho who provided the magical moment for supporters of Les Sang et Or.

A dreadful turnover from Ahly forward Achraf Bencharki allowed the visitors to counter and after a pass attempt toward Yan Sasse was left short, a resulting tackle left a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area. Danho was on the scene to fire a low shot past goalkeeper Oufa Shobeir and Espérance now had the crucial away goal they needed.

It only got worse for Ahly. Ten minutes later, Mohamed Amine Tougai converted a penalty kick to add another goal for EST after a foul was committed in the penalty area.

An own goal in favor of the hosts brought Al Ahly back into the tie, but they still needed two more goals to advance and there was simply not enough time for the 12-time African club champions to reverse the result. In the final moments, the visitors added one more goal through Hamza Jelassi’s header to add one more devastating blow.

An emotional rollercoaster comes to an end. 🤯 #TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/RJhq9NPIHO

— TotalEnergies CAFCL & CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) March 21, 2026

After being eliminated three times in the competitions by their Egyptian rivals since winning the Champions League in 2018, EST have gotten their revenge. They will likely face Mamelodi Sundowns in the semifinals, with the South African champions likely to confirm their place on Sunday when they travel to face Mali’s Stade Malien after winning the first leg 3-0 in South Africa.