Etoile Sahel reached the CAF Champions League final for the second time in three years after defeating Sudan giants Hilal 3-1 at home on Saturday. Hilal produced a brave display but their impressive run in Africa's premier competition came to a halt, thanks to two strikes from Amine Chermiti and a goal from Saber Ben Frej. Nigerian striker Goodwin Ndubuisi scored Hilal's consolation 11 minutes after restart as Etoile claimed a 4-3 aggregate win after losing the first-leg 2-1 in Omdurman. The Tunisian side, who were handed a 3-0 aggregate defeat to Ahli in the 2005 final, could face the Egyptian giants again if the latter defeated Ittihad of Libya on Sunday. Hilal, known for their solid displays at home, couldn't match their opponents on an away soil and their resistance lasted for just 15 minutes as Chermiti's header gave Etoile the lead. Ben Frej doubled the lead six minutes after the interval when he capitalized on a goal-mouth scramble to slot home from close range. Ndubuisi leveled the aggregate score five minutes later after he met a cross from the left flank with a superb first-timer into the bottom corner. However, the unmarked Chermiti killed off Hilal hopes in the 64th minute when he connected with a free-kick to head past Sudanese keeper Abu Baker Sharif.
