MAS players lift the trophy
The 2011 Caf Confederation Cup winners Maghreb Association Sportive of Fez became Africa’s champion of champions on Saturday after they beat Caf Champions League title holders Esperance Tunis 4-3 on penalties at the Stade Olympique in Rades following a 1-1 draw at the end of 90 minutes.
Highly tipped favourites ahead of the all-North African clash, the Blood and Gold were stunned early in the game by the visitors, who opened the scoring in the 20th minute through Hamza Bourezzouk to shift much of the pressure on the home side.
The pacy striker linked up with a low cross from defender Hamza Hajji and meandered his way into Esperance area before poking the ball into the back net via the left post.
Highly tipped favourites ahead of the all-North African clash, the Blood and Gold were stunned early in the game by the visitors, who opened the scoring in the 20th minute through Hamza Bourezzouk to shift much of the pressure on the home side.
The pacy striker linked up with a low cross from defender Hamza Hajji and meandered his way into Esperance area before poking the ball into the back net via the left post.
A desperate Esperance toiled across the rest of the first half for an equaliser, but a quick- assembly back half of the Yellow and Black always succeeded in blocking Michel Decastel’s men’s effort, which gradually transformed the session into a rugged play resulting in injuries on both sides, which eventually saw the eviction of midfielder Mejdi Traoui after bagging two yellow.
The second half witnessed a continuous flow of traffic towards Maghreb’s goal as the Tunisians were anxiously conscious that time was not running in their favour. But most of Ndjeng, Bouazzi and Msakni’s combinations upfront lacked proper finishing and the Moroccans found no difficulties clearing the dangers.
Deep in stoppage time, defender Khalil Chemmam pulled level for Esperance and revived the hopes of already saddened home fans, who rekindled the din that animated the stadium in the opening moments of the encounter.
Both sides went on for a mandatory penalty shootout without extra time, according to Caf regulations for the Super Cup.
Derbali and Hicheri bungled their kicks for Esperance while Maghreb lost only one to seal victory on 4-3 and became Morocco’s second club to win the Caf Super Cup after Raja Casablanca in 2000.
The second half witnessed a continuous flow of traffic towards Maghreb’s goal as the Tunisians were anxiously conscious that time was not running in their favour. But most of Ndjeng, Bouazzi and Msakni’s combinations upfront lacked proper finishing and the Moroccans found no difficulties clearing the dangers.
Deep in stoppage time, defender Khalil Chemmam pulled level for Esperance and revived the hopes of already saddened home fans, who rekindled the din that animated the stadium in the opening moments of the encounter.
Both sides went on for a mandatory penalty shootout without extra time, according to Caf regulations for the Super Cup.
Derbali and Hicheri bungled their kicks for Esperance while Maghreb lost only one to seal victory on 4-3 and became Morocco’s second club to win the Caf Super Cup after Raja Casablanca in 2000.
GOAL
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