ES Tunis complete turnaround to edge Al Ahly to Caf CL crown

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ES Tunis completed a stunning turnaround to claim Caf Champions League glory, winning 3-0 in the second leg to seal a 4-3 aggregate final triumph.

Saad Bguir starred with a goal in each half before Anice Badri’s dramatic late strike heralded a third continental triumph for his club, sparking bedlam in the Tunisian capital.

Al Ahly took command with a 3-1 triumph on home turf in the first leg, although in the aftermath of an ill-tempered affair, the Egyptian side had Walid Azarou banned for unsporting behaviour.

Their hosts took advantage of any disquiet and, although they had to wait until first-half stoppage time to break through, Al Ahly were pinned back under waves of pressure that eventually consumed them.

Bguir engineered space in the penalty area to steer in a low strike and send Moine Chaabani’s men into the interval with a timely boost.

Al Ahly appeared overwhelmed early in the second half and were at breaking point when Bguir powered home a header from right back Sameh Derbali’s cross.

For all their endeavours and dominance – Al Ahly registered a solitary, off-target shot over the entire match – it looked as if time would run out for the Tunisian side.

However, Badri stole possession on halfway in the 86th minute, ran purposefully at a flagging defence and lashed a brilliant strike past Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy from 18 yards.

Photo: EPA/Lahbibi Salah

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Dean Workman