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Beating Ahly is our gate to the semi-finals, says Esperance coach Tunisian side Esperance's coach Nabil Maaloul backs his player for beating Ahly despite more absence in the backlines
Esperance coach Nabil Maaloul revealed that the 1-0 victory over Ahly in the CAF Champions League on Saturday was very difficult considering their defence and midfield were missing some of their stars. “I taught my players how to deal with Ahly's strikes, despite the absence of some of our stars” Maaloul was quoted as saying on a television programme after the game. The Tunisian League and Cup champions Esperance played the African game against Ahly without the services of several regular players, including defenders Yaya Banana of Cameroon, Mohamed Ben Mansour and the midfield trio Khaled Korbi, Youssef Msakni and Aymen Ben Amor. “We deserve the 1-0 victory over Ahly, as I hoped to double the score in the second halftime to snatch the game, but Ahly's experience nullified our efforts,” he analysed. “Today's win is our gate to book a place in the semi-finals as it is the toughest game in this Group” said the Esperance tactician. Esperance are the runners-up of Group B, with 4 points and 1 goal difference with leaders Moroccan side Wydad who defeated Mouloudia Alger 4-0 in the same round of the championship.