CAFCL: Espérance coach banks on second leg after loss to Sundowns

Espérance coach Maher Kanzari (right) with EST star Yan Sasse. Photo Credit: Espérance ST Media

Espérance Sportive de Tunis coach Maher Kanzari has attributed the Tunisian giants’ 1-0 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns in a CAF Champions League on Tuesday afternoon to a lapse in concentration but hopes to bounce back at home.

Kanzari said this in a post-match interview with SuperSport Television after losing the CAF Champions League quarterfinal, first-leg match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.

"It was a very tactical game and there were no clear-cut chances from either Sundowns or Esperance but at some point, there was a lack of concentration and they scored a goal. I hope that in the second round, we will do the job and get through,” he said in a brief interview.

The Betway Premiership side needed leading striker Peter Shalulile’s close range finish from a ball delivered from the left to breach the Tunisians’ defence.

Earlier, Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso seemed to echo similar sentiments saying there was plenty to play for in the second leg scheduled for April 8 in Tunis.

Cardoso was in charge of the Tunisian giants when they stunned Sundowns 2-0 over two legs in the semifinals last season. Months later he was hired to replace highly rated Rulani Mokwena who is now in charge of Moroccan side Wydad Athletic Club.