Ivorian giants, Asec Mimosas walked away the happier side on Saturday evening when they frustrated Esperance Sportive de Tunis to a goalless stalemate in what was the last round of Quarter-Final fixtures for the weekend played at the Stade Olympique in Tunis.
The 0-0 draw sets up a grand finish to the Quarter-Finals when the two sides meet in a return fixture in Abidjan next weekend with both teams going into the clash on clean sheets.
Despite being starved of possession; the Ivorians were the first to get a chance at goal after loss of possession in the danger area by Raed Bouchniba concluded with Karidioula Mofosse almost capitalizing on the error but saw his effort go wide off target.
The Tunisians eventually had a sniff at goal just before the half-hour mark after Ghaylen Chaleli’s dangerous ball almost caught the keeper off guard, who did just enough to fist it away from danger.
In the second stanza, the hosts continued from where they left off as they surged forward in search of the opener.
The introduction of fresh legs by coach Miguel Cardoso injected much-needed pace in the hosts’ attack.
Second-half substitute, Oussema Bouguerra was unlucky not to have found the opener after a well struck effort from outside the box had Ayayi Folly well beaten but was fortunate to see the ball come off the woodwork.
Midfield sensation, Houssem Tka should have broken the deadlock in the 74th minute after doing well to rise above his markers for his header to go just off target.
Despite being under severe pressure throughout the match, the Ivorians did well to absorb and thwart most of the attacks, as they escaped the north African nation with a confidence boosting draw ahead of the return leg next weekend.
The TotalEnergies CAF Champions League return leg Quarter-Finals will take place on 05 and 06 April.
TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Quarter-Finals Results (First Leg):
Friday, 29 March
Simba AC 0 – 1 Al Ahly SC
Saturday, 30 March
TP Mazembe 0 – 0 Atletico Petroleos
Young Africans 0 – 0 Mamelodi Sundowns
Esperance de Tunis 0 – 0 Asec Mimosas
Quarter-Finals Return Leg Fixtures:
Friday, 05 April
18h00 GMT | Mamelodi Sundowns v Young Africans
20h00 GMT | Al Ahly SC v Simba SC
Saturday, 06 April
16h00 GMT | Atletico Petroleos v TP Mazembe
20h00 GMT | Asec Mimosas v Esperance
