Esperance welcome giant-killers Teungueth

Esperance de Tunis will square off with Teungueth FC in a Caf Champions League group D match at the Stade Olympique de Rades on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 3:00 pm CAT.

The Tunisian champions are in scintillating form at the moment, having won their last five matches in the Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1.

The Blood and Gold are also undefeated in their last three Champions League games, having edged out Libyan giants Al Ahli Benghazi 3-2 in their last match in the competition on 6 January.

Majdi Traoui, the Esperance assistant coach, has disclosed that they are targeting seven points from their first three matches in group D.

“Serious things are starting. We are aware of the difficulties," Traoui said on Radio IFM.

"The most important thing is to start well and win the first match against the Senegalese team before going to Algeria and hosting Zamalek.

"In the first three games, we have to get at least seven points in order to have the best chance of qualifying."

Meanwhile, Teungueth are winless in their last two matches in the Senegal Premier League having been held to a 0-0 draw by Diambars last weekend.

The Senegalese side has impressed in their debut season in the Champions League as they are undefeated having caused a major upset when they eliminated Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca.

Youssoupha Dabo, the Teungueth head coach, says he expected his side to be pitted against strong teams and the also added that they will come up with strategies to secure wins in group D.

“We expected to play in a tough, difficult pool because at this level, there are no longer any small teams, so it’s up to us to raise the level of the club as a whole," Dabo told Newsy-Today.

“It is still football, however, with possible surprises. The opponents are teams with a great history in this competition, unlike Teungueth FC which is starting [to compete in Champions League].”

"You have to get to work, analyze your opponents well and put in place the necessary strategies to win matches."

This will be the first Champions League meeting between Esperance and Teungueth.