(Others) – Esperance manager Nabil Maaloul said his side must remain cautious when they host Ahly on Saturday despite holding the Egyptians to a 1-1 draw in the first-leg of the African Champions League final. The result makes Esperance favourites to retain their title but Maaloul insisted the two teams have equal chances to lift the prestigious trophy. A goalless draw will be enough to give the title holders their third continental title on the away-goal rule. "The two teams have the same chance in the second leg," Maaloul told Al-Ahram's weekly sports magazine. "Ahly dominated the first leg for long periods but we managed to score. The same might happened at Rades Stadium on Saturday." The 50-year-old, who was in charge of Esperance when they won the Champions League title last year, said he was not completely satisfied with the team's first-leg display. ''We didn't perform well in the first leg, but it is normal in this kind of games," he said. "Ahly and Esperance are two big clubs in the continent and there is no big difference between the two clubs, that's why several players appeared out of form." Maaloul admitted that the absence of right-flank duo Sameh Derbalo and Harisson Afful, who will miss the second leg duo to automatic suspension, will be a problem for his team. "The absence of Derbaly and Afful will be a big problem especially that they play on the same flank. However, I think the substitutes will be able to deputize for them." Despite making their third successive final appearance, Maaloul stressed that playing against Ahly represents a tougher test than the last two years. "Ahly is a big team which includes several stars. Certainly it will be a very tough game," he concluded.
