Esperance rally to beat Teungueth

Esperance de Tunis came from behind to beat Teungueth FC 2-1 in their Group D 2020-21 Caf Champions League opener at Stade Olympique de Rades on Saturday afternoon. 

Victory moved the Tunisian giants up to top spot in the group with three points, two more than both Zamalek and MC Alger who played out to a 0-0 draw in Cairo on Friday evening. 

Teungueth beat Raja Casablanca to qualify for their maiden group stage campaign and were on course for another giant-killing as they opened the scoring in the 33rd minute. Paul Bassene teed up Gambian winger Gibril Sillah who converted from close range to hand the Seneglese club a surprise lead. 

The hosts were awarded a penalty on the cusp of half time following a comical error. A defensive clearance was directed straight at the arm of Pape Sow in the area, leaving the referee little chance but to award a penalty-kick. Taha Yassine Khenissi held his cool from the spot to level matters. 

The Blood and Gold made it six wins on the trot in all competitions as Basit Abdul Khalid provided the desired impact off the bench. The Ghanian forward headed Mohamed Ben Romdhane's cross into the back of the net in the 74th minute to complete the comeback win for the hosts. 

Next up for Esperance is a trip to Algeria to take on MC Alger while Teungueth will welcome Zamalek in Senegal later this month. 

Esperance de Tunis (1) 2 (Khenissi pen. 45' Khalid 74')
Teungueth FC (1) 1 (Sillah 33') 

ESPERANCE DE TUNIS: Ben Mustapha; Nagguez, Bedrane, Chetti (Togui 74'), Tougai, Marzouki (Fadaa 58'), Coulibaly, Chalali (Ben Romdhane 37'), Benguit, Badri (Ben Hmida 75'), Khenissi (Khalid 58'). 

TEUNHUETH FC: Cisse, Ndiaye, Ndoye, Balde, Sow, Mane, Seck, Diop, Sillah (Ndaw 79'), Bassene (Diatta 73'), Sakho (Fall 79').