Burkinabè Team Rahimo Puts Up a Good Fight but Ultimately Falls to Espérance's Might
The Press — As in the first leg, Espérance's "Sang et Or" took their time to find the weakness in the Burkinabè team, which defended well for the first 30 minutes of the game. In this sense, Espérance's clear chances were few and far between, despite their total domination of the game. The first attempt was recorded at the 12th minute when, on a free kick taken by Kouceila Boualia near the 16-meter mark, Yassine Meriah jumped higher, but a opposing defender, who was quicker, intercepted the ball.
Nine minutes later, the first dangerous opportunity of the match arose: Chiheb Jebali, author of a slalom, dribbled and served Florian Danho, putting him face to face with the Burkinabè goalkeeper, but the latter snatched the ball from him just as he was about to shoot (23').
After this serious alert, it was clear that the "Sang et Or" goal was imminent. We didn't have to wait long to see it: a corner kick taken by Kouceila Boualia and Hamza Jelassi, who jumped higher than everyone, deceived the Burkinabè goalkeeper by heading the ball directly into the net (33').
The opening of the score finally freed up the players' legs, and three minutes later, we witnessed another dangerous action: Houssem Tka led a counter-attack before serving Florian Danho, but an opposing defender, who was quicker, cut off the ball's trajectory (36').
A Great Day for Espérance
In the second half, the "Sang et Or" were much more dangerous. From the start, the tone was set: served in the penalty area by Chiheb Jebali, Florian Danho sent a crossed shot from the right into a closed angle that left the Rahimo FC goalkeeper without a reaction (51').
And it wasn't over yet. Youssef Belaïli, who was returning from an injury, hadn't lost his touch: with a heel strike, he eliminated a defender and served Konaté, whose shot was intercepted by the goalkeeper, who closed the shooting angle (63').
The same Konaté came back strong a few minutes later: served by Belaïli, the Ivorian, skilled with the ball at his feet, dribbled the opposing goalkeeper before serving Achref Jabri on the last line, who, with a flick, tripled the score (72'). Konaté could have scored himself, but was generous towards Jabri.
Danho, Konaté, Jebali, Tka, and even the returning Belaïli had a great game. In the end, the more experienced "Sang et Or" naturally qualified for the group stage of the African Champions League. The serious things are starting.
Espérance Team:
Ben Saïd, Keïta, Ben Hmida, Jelassi (Laifi 77'), Meriah, Ogbelu, Tka (Rached 77'), Jebali (Belaïli 62'), Boualia (Maacha 77'), Danho (Jabri 62'), and Konaté.
