Africa set the stage to determine their Super Champions as Esperance look forward for first CAF Super Cup title in 25 years whilst Zamalek chase fourth glory

Africa set the stage to determine the superior champions for the 2018-2019 season when the winners of 2019 CAF Champions League Esperance de Tunis and 2019 Confederation Cup winners Zamalek grace the CAF Super Cup finals in the competition’s 28^th edition in Rayyan, Qatar.

ES Tunis were crowned the CAF Champions League winners over Wydad Casablanca when the second leg game between the two sides was cancelled to set the 2018-2019 Champions League final in a controversial tone.

The Tunisians led their Moroccan opponents 1-0 before the cancellation after the first leg tie had ended in a 1-1 draw in Morocco.

Zamalek won the Confederation Cup when they beat Berkane 5-3 on penalties after two-legged tie had ended in a 1-0 victory for each club in their home ground.

CAF Champions League holders Esperance now look ahead to win their first Super Cup title after winning their last one in 1995 when they take on Zamalek on Friday 14^th February in Rayyan.

But this is only the first of their three meetings between February and March having the two African giants drawn in the quarter-finals of the 2019-2020 Total CAF Champions League.

Since 1995 when they brushed aside Dr Congo side DC Motema Pembe 3-0, the Tunisian side have appeared 3 Super Cup finals but have not lifted any of them, losing the first title to Abidjan based ASEC Mimosas in 1999, the second to Maghreb Fez in 2012 and the latest one to Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca in 2019.

At the receiving end, Zamalek hunt for their overall fourth Super Cup title but their first glory since 2003 but they would have to be at the very best to overcome a very strong Esperance side who have lost just a one game in both the Tunisian Premier League and the CAF Champions League.

Esperance vs Zamalek H2H

Esperance and Zamalek locked horns in 6 previous CAF Interclub matches, with the Egyptian ‘White Knights’ winning twice compared to Tunisia’s ‘Gold and Blood’ lone victory, with three matches ending in a stalemate. Each side has scored six goals and conceded as many.

Domestic form

Esperance lead the Tunisian Premier League table with 38 after 14 games. They have managed to score 29 goals, higher than any other Tunisian Premier League club, conceded 7 setting them with 22 goal difference.

They remain unbeaten in the League, and have drawn only twice this season. Comparatively, Zamalek sit third on the Egyptian league log with 31 points after 15 games (have two games in hand). They have lost just twice, drew four, and their last five league games have ended unbeaten for the Egyptian giants.

Officials for the game

The CAF have appointed South African referee Victor Gomes to handle the Super Cup game, and will be assisted by compatriot Zakhele Siwela, Souru Phatsoane from Lesotho and Senegal’s Maguette Ndiaye as the fourth official.

Esperance is expected to travel to Qatar without their defender Abdelkader Bedrane who sustained ligament tear. That is expected to keep him out for three weeks.

Philip Acquah

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