 Tunisia's Etoile Sahel have reached the Champions League final again |
Etoile Sahel defeated Morocco's Raja Casablanca 1-0 in the return-leg semi-final of the Champions League to reach their second final in a row. A feeble 35-yard free-kick by captain Kais Zouaghi gave the Tunisian side a 2-0 aggregate win over 10-man Raja.
Etoile Sahel will play the winner of Sunday's semi-final in Cairo between Egyptian rivals Ahly and Zamalek.
Etoile, who have never won the Champions League, lost on penalties in last year's final to Nigeria's Enyimba.
In Sousse, Etoile's goalkeeper Austin Ejide was the Tunisians' hero, stopping a point-blank shot after six minutes from Abdul Karim Fofana.
The hosts hit back 20 minutes into the second half when Zouaghi surprised Raja goalkeeper Mustapha Chadli, who was off guard and despairingly aided the ball into his own net.
Etoile were further helped when Raja defender Abdessamad Abdelouahed was sent-off in the 67th minute for a professional foul on Ahmed Hamdi midway in his own half.
Three minutes later Seif Ghezal also came close to making it 2-0 but he only managed to send his close-range effort outside the netting.
In stoppage time, Brazilian Gilson looped a casual volley which was cleared off the line.
MMIX
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