Second half goals from Farid Mussa and
Ramadhani Singano helped to turn the game into Azam favour in a tactic
infested thriller. Azam become the only East African team this week to
win over a North African side and their hard earned victory at least
helped to clean East African image following the dismal show of other
two envoys.
The Tunisia side were the first to open the goal account in 34th minute through Jouini Haythem who headed home from a set piece.
The two teams headed for the breather
with the Tunisian leading 1-0, as the hosts threw away a couple of good
scoring chances. Led by John Bocco, Kipre Tchetche and Farid and
Ramadhan Singano upfront, Azam, however, fought back for an equaliser
and their efforts paid off in the 68th minute through Mussa’s
spectacular goal.
The promising youth, Musaa completed a
solo efforts from Singano who tore apart three defenders before feeding
the scorer. The goal stunned the Tunisians, who suffered the worst two
minutes later with another superb goal.
This time it was Singano who sentenced
Esperance to death. Farid Mussa sent him a piece from left flank and
Singano fired a blocbuster into yawning net. Azam need a draw in their
second leg in Tunisia to advance to the final qualifying round.
On Saturday, Young Africans, other
Tanzanian representatives, were held to painful 1-1 draw by Egyptian Al
Ahly in CAF Champions League, while a day before away in Morocco,
Uganda’s Sports Club Villa suffered their life time defeat of 7-0 to
Moroccan FUS Rabbat.
At least there are hopes for Azam to
qualify while Young Africans are reduced to fighting chance when they
face record African champions Al Ahly away in a return leg two weeks
later.
But SC Villa are already gone down
unless miracles happens. Records show that East African teams, both at
club and national team levels have been easy preys to the teams from
four North African teams that include Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt and
Morocco. The Ugandan and East Africa’s giants, Sports Club Villa were
hammered 7-0 by hosts Fus Rabat of Morocco in a Caf Confederation Cup
last 16 first leg on Friday night.
Teams: Azam FC; Aishi Manula, Erasto
Nyoni, Waziri Salum/Khamis Mcha, Aggrey Morris, Serge Wawa/David
Mwantika Serge Wawa, Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza, Kipre Tchetche, Kipre
Bolou/ Frank Domayo, Ramadhani Singano ‘Messi’, John Bocco, Farid Mussa.
Esperance: Moez Ben Cherifia, Iheb
Mbaarki, Yacine Rabii, Mohamed Ali Yaakoubi, Chamseddine Dhaouadi,
Hoiucine Regued, Fousseny Coulibaly, Driss Mhirsi, Ilyes Jelassi/Adem
Rjaibi, Fakhreddine Ben Youssef, Haithem Jouini.