Monday, March 26, 2012

Shared honor for Esperance and Brikama United

Esperance held by Brikama United, Photo: by Nfamara Drammeh
African Champions league holders Esperance of Tunisia shared points in a 1-1 draw against Brikama United of The Gambia on March 24, 2012 at the Box Bar mini stadium in Brikama, 38 kilometers south of the capital, Banjul.
The draw is the beginning of Esperance title defence in the second round of the CAF Champions League.

Three minutes into the game, Esperance skipper Wajdi Bouazzi cuts across the middle capitalizing on a defensive error to fire into Brikama’s net (0-1).

But Brikama responded with an equalizer in the 12th minute through a header by Musa Bojang from a free kick (1-1).   

Esperance Aymen Ben Amor showed a sign of disappointment when his 23rd minute volley handled easily by Brikama goalkeeper Baboucarr Sanyang, while Joseph Jenc’s 28th minute powerful shot from 16 yards slightly went high. 

Long range efforts and half chances from the Tunisian side fail to see them win their 2nd round first leg encounter even after dominating much of the 2nd period of the game.

Brikama goalkeeper Baboucarr Sanyang who was kept busy throughout the game, denied Esperance Nsakni Mohamed Jhab from close range after his Cameroonian team mate, Joseph Jenc put him trough inside the penalty box.

Gambia league champions Brikama United put up stiff resistance in the first half but fall short under par with the 24 times Tunisian league winners Esperance in the second period of the game. 

Brikama United could have sealed victory 72 minutes into the game, but wasted the easiest of chances from close range. Foday Trawally shoots straight at Esperance goalkeeper Ben Cherifia from three yards, a low cross from midfielder Nani Darboe.  

Esperance will host Brikama United in Tunis in the second leg on the weekend of April 6-8, 2012.

Esperance, two-time African champions, was given a by in the first round of the competition, while Brikama United ousted Senegal opponents US Ouakam in a two-legged tie. 


AUTHOR: Modou S. Joof


 


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