Esperance edged Tunisian rivals Etoile du Sahel in the Tunisian derby.

Esperance claimed Caf Champions League quarter-final, first leg bragging rights of the Tunisian derby against Etoile du Sahel with a 2-1 win at the Stade Olympique Rades on Saturday.

Although Etoile could be feeling inspired ahead of the second leg after managing an away goal, Esperance put one foot into the semi-finals.

 

Chamseddine Dhaouadi made Esperance’s intentions clear as early as the second minute when he headed home Khalil Chemmam’s free kick.

But Etoile responded through Ammar Jemal who tapped home a low free kick by Firas Belarbi on 29 minutes, to add fire to the contest.

With the scoreline 1-1 at halftime, victory appeared to be slipping away from Esperance who however went on to notch their first victory against Etoile in Caf inter-club competitions.

It was a night where all goals came in from set-pieces with Algerian forward Mohamed Belaïli cleverly squaring in a freekick for an unmarked Sameh Derbali to hammer home for Esperance’s winning goal.

Etoile’s goalkeeper Achraf Krir was partly guilty of spilling Derbali’s shot into the net as wild Esperance celebrations followed.

Two-time African champions Esperance are bidding for a first Caf Champions League title since 2011 and made a stride towards that with the win.

Etoile du Sahel’s away goal could set the return leg to be an explosive one in Sousse next weekend.