Esperance’s dream of reaching the CAF Champions League semi-final ended in anger and chaos on the night of Tuesday, April 9, 2025, as their fans ensured the players felt every bit of their frustration.
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg against Mamelodi Sundowns, the Tunisian giants failed to find a way back in front of their home crowd.
Achref Jabri’s 63rd-minute goal appeared to level the tie on aggregate; however, it was ruled out for offside following VAR intervention.
Eager to make amends for last season’s semi-final exit at the hands of Esperance, Sundowns repelled everything the Tunisians threw at them.
Ultimately, the South Africans’ solitary goal across both legs secured their progress to the semi-finals, setting up a mouth-watering tie against Al Ahly.
The final whistle, however, sparked ugly scenes as furious Esperance fans hurled objects onto the pitch, venting their spleen at the players after yet another continental disappointment.
As the players walked off the pitch, fans threw water bottles and other items at them, forcing the players to rush into the dressing room to avoid being hit.
Following their back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019, Esperance have now gone five years without lifting the coveted trophy.
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