Injury Blow Clouds Esperance's CAF Semi-Final Bid

Ahead of the semi-final, injury hits Esperance

Esperance Sportive de Tunis received a hard blow just days before their highly anticipated CAF Champions League semi-final first leg against Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, scheduled for April 12 in Tunis.

The Tunisian giants host the South African side at the Stade de Radès, with the return leg set for April 18 in Pretoria.

The club hope to reach the final for the first time since 2024, and to reclaim the continental crown they last won in 2019 after defeating Wydad Casablanca in a dramatic final that ended with the Moroccan side withdrawing in protest against a refereeing decision.

The club confirmed in a statement on its social channels that Algerian star Kseila Bouaaliya is suffering a calf muscle injury, potentially sidelining him for the tie. He will undergo further medical tests to determine the nature of the injury and his return date.

Bouaaliya's absence would be a major technical blow, especially after his standout display against Al Ahly in the quarter-finals, which helped Esperance overturn a 4-2 aggregate deficit by winning 1-0 in Tunis and 3-2 in Cairo.

Additionally, injuries complicate the coach's planning, with Shihab Al-Jabali reporting back and ankle problems sustained in the league clash with Etoile du Sahel, and further tests planned to gauge his readiness ahead of Sundowns.

Punchline 1: Bouaaliya's calf injury has more plot twists than this season's script—expect a cameo from the medical room before kickoff.

Punchline 2: If injuries keep mounting, the bench might host a stand-up act: “Calf-idents”—tonight's feature at Radès.