Espérance Tunis Advance to CAF Champions League Group Stage After Dramatic Penalty Shootout
Espérance Sportive de Tunis have secured a place in the group stage of the 2026–27 CAF Champions League, extending their remarkable run of consecutive appearances to 11 seasons. The Tunisian champions overcame Libya’s Al-Sweihli 3–1 in a penalty shootout at the Olympic Stadium in Radès after winning the second leg 1–0 in normal time. With the two clubs tied 1–1 on aggregate, goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said proved decisive in a tense finish.
The qualification tie was finely balanced from the outset. Al-Sweihli had taken a 1–0 advantage in the first leg in Misrata, meaning Espérance needed a goal at home simply to draw level across the two matches. They found it early, but the visitors’ disciplined defending ensured that neither side could settle the contest before the shootout.
Faraj’s early strike gives Espérance hope
Espérance made the ideal start when Imed Faraj scored in the seventh minute. The forward capitalised on a defensive mistake, reacting quickly to put the ball away and give the home side the breakthrough they needed. The goal brought the aggregate score to 1–1 and immediately raised the stakes for both teams.
For the Tunisian club, the early strike offered a platform to press for a second goal and avoid the uncertainty of penalties. For Al-Sweihli, it meant protecting their goal while searching for opportunities to restore their advantage. The Libyan side responded by tightening its defensive shape, limiting space around the penalty area and making Espérance work for every opening.
Despite enjoying periods of pressure, the hosts could not add to Faraj’s goal. Espérance created further chances but were unable to convert them, while Al-Sweihli stayed organised and held firm through the final whistle. Their resistance carried the tie into a shootout, where composure and goalkeeping would determine which team continued its continental campaign.
Ben Said shines as Al-Sweihli miss three penalties
The penalty shootout swung decisively in Espérance’s favour as Al-Sweihli failed to score with three of their attempts. Ben Said delivered a standout performance between the posts, helping put the pressure on the visitors and giving his teammates the opportunity to finish the job.
Espérance converted three penalties through Lucas Ribeiro, Moez Haj Ali and Adam Alilat, securing a 3–1 shootout victory. Their success brought relief to the home crowd after a match in which the hosts had needed to overcome both the first-leg deficit and Al-Sweihli’s stubborn defensive display.
Penalty shootouts often turn on small details: a goalkeeper’s read, a taker’s decision and the ability to stay calm when the outcome is on the line. In this contest, Espérance showed greater accuracy from the spot, while Ben Said’s contribution gave the Tunisian champions a crucial edge. The result was not simply a reward for their early goal; it reflected their ability to manage a high-pressure finish after failing to find a second goal in open play.
A historic run continues for the Tunisian champions
Qualification marks Espérance’s 11th consecutive appearance in the CAF Champions League group stage. The club have reached that phase every season since 2016–17, underlining their sustained presence among Africa’s leading teams. They have also turned that consistency into silverware, winning the competition in 2018 and 2019.
That record gives the club a strong foundation as they prepare for another group-stage campaign. Regular participation brings valuable experience in high-level continental football, where teams must cope with demanding travel, varied playing conditions and opponents from across the continent. Espérance’s ability to navigate a tense two-leg qualifier will be an early test of the resilience they will need in the next phase.
For Al-Sweihli, the defeat ends their bid to reach the group stage, despite a competitive performance over the two legs. Their first-leg win in Misrata put them in a promising position, and their defence did enough in Radès to force the tie to penalties. However, the missed spot-kicks proved costly, illustrating how narrow the margins can be in knockout football.
What the result means for the group stage
Espérance now turn their attention to the group-stage draw and the challenge of building momentum against stronger opposition. Their performance in Radès offered reasons for confidence, particularly the team’s persistence after conceding the first-leg advantage and Ben Said’s composure under pressure. At the same time, the difficulty of creating and finishing chances will be an area to address as the competition intensifies.
The qualification also reinforces the club’s status as one of Tunisia’s most dependable representatives in African football. Their supporters will expect another serious campaign, while the players will know that reaching the group stage is only the first objective. To make a deep run, Espérance will need to combine defensive discipline with greater efficiency in front of goal.
For now, the headline is clear: Espérance have survived a difficult test and kept their continental streak alive. Faraj’s seventh-minute goal levelled the tie, but the shootout belonged to Ben Said and the three successful Espérance takers. After a night of missed chances, stubborn defending and intense pressure, the Tunisian champions advanced—and their pursuit of another CAF Champions League title remains firmly on track.
