Quick feet from Soumaila Sidibe and a controversial moment late in the match gave Tunisian champions Étoile du Sahel the edge in their 2023-24 CAF Champions League first round clash after a 2-0 victory away from home over Algeria’s CS Constantine. Sidibe struck in the 71st minute to give the Tunisian giants the lead in front of a hostile crowd before a late penalty kick from
The intense atmosphere and ferocity of a North African derby was clear to see at the Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium in Constantine where the hosts were making their first appearance in CAF club competition since a quarterfinal finish at the 2018-19 edition of the Champions League. Despite the backing of their passionate supporters CSC failed to pose much of a threat to the goal of ESS goalkeeper Ali Jemal.
It was more of the same in the second half as ESS continued to look a bit more dangerous while maintaining their strong defensive performance. The teams appeared to be heading towards a 0-0 draw but Sidibe changed the match with an adventurous dribbling run down the middle. On his path towards goal a touch got away but bounced off a CSC defender right into the path of the diminutive midfielder who was left with a simple finish past goalkeeper Khaireddine Boussouf for the decisive goal.
A one-goal deficit is difficult for CSC to overcome in Tunisia but last season’s Algeria Ligue 1 Professionnelle runners-up were left dismayed when a loss of focus from Boussouf led to a second goal for ESS in the final seconds. Boussouf gathered a tame shot and was pestered by ESS striker Youssef Abdelli causing the goalkeeper to lightly slap Abdelli in the head. Egyptian referee Ibrahim Nour El Din judged the incident to be a foul and yellow card on Boussouf and ESS veteran midfielder Hamza Jelassi sent Boussouf the wrong way on the ensuing spot kick.
Highlights of the first leg are below.
Soumaila Sidibe gives ESS the lead in the second half
A moment of poor judgment from CSC goalkeeper Khaireddine Boussouf gives ESS a penalty kick and the crucial second goal
