Mohamed Tougai’s 73rd‑minute penalty gave Esperance of Tunisia a 1-0 victory over Egyptian giants Al Ahly in their CAF Champions League quarterfinal first leg in Rades.
The Algerian defender converted after Mohamed Hany handled Ibrahima Keita’s cross, breaking the deadlock in a cagey contest.
Both goalkeepers shone in the first half, with Mostafa Shobeir twice denying Florian Danho and Bechir Ben Said tipping over Mahmoud Trezeguet’s curling effort.
Al Ahly pressed after the break, but Ben Said stopped Achraf Bencharki and Emam Ashour before Tougai struck. Yaw Sasse later wasted a golden chance to double the lead.
In another quarterfinal, Renaissance Berkane salvaged a 1-1 draw against Al Hilal of Sudan thanks to Mounir Chouiar’s dramatic added‑time penalty, following a VAR‑reviewed red card for Steve Ebuela.
Esperance now carry a narrow advantage into the return leg in Cairo.
