Stade Malien earn historic first CAFCL point at Esperance

Stade Malien fought hard to earn a first-ever CAF Champions League (CAFCL) point after holding Tunisian giants Esperance de Tunis to a 0-0 draw in a Group D fixture played out in Rades. Esperance failed to break the resilient defending of the Malian champions.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Stade Malien de Bamako – Officiel (@blancsdebamako)

Esperance players wore T-shirts showcasing their support for injured Algerian star Youcef Belaili prior to kick-off. The home side started the encounter on a bright note with Houssem Teka shooting wide in the opening minutes.

Stade Malien opted for a more defensive approach. The first half’s best chances came in the last five minutes. EST wingre Kouceila Boualia forced a save from goalkeeper N’Golo Traore and Florian Danho missed a sitter from close range minutes later.

The second half saw fewer scoring chances at both ends. The visitors carried on with their defensive tactics, and Esperance struggled to create opportunities. Their only great chance of the half came when Traore made a good save from Danho in the 72nd minute.

Esperance hoped to open their Champions League campaign with a win, but they were held by a strong Stade Malien side. The Malian champions are making their Champions League debut this season. Next weekend, EST will travel to face Angolan champions Petro de Luanda while Stade Malien host Tanzania’s Simba SC for the second matchday in Group D.