CAF Champions League: Esperance sportive de Tunis held by Al-Swehly SC at half-time

Al-Swehly SC and Esperance sportive de Tunis were level at 0-0 at half-time on Sunday, 18 October, in the first leg of the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League 2026-2027.

The match is being played at Misrata Stadium in Libya, with Esperance making their first appearance in this season’s competition. The Tunisian side have controlled periods of the opening half but have been unable to turn their possession and attacking pressure into a goal.

Al-Swehly SC have looked to use home advantage to unsettle the visitors, while remaining compact and determined to protect their chances before the return leg.

With neither side able to break the deadlock, the tie remains finely balanced ahead of the second half. Esperance will need to find greater attacking inspiration if they are to leave Libya with a positive result.

The return match will be played on 24 October at Stade de Rades.

Mubarak Haruna

Mubarak Haruna is an emerging force in African football journalism, recognised for his speed, accuracy and ability to break major stories. He specialises in breaking news, match coverage and multimedia storytelling across radio, television and digital platforms.He holds a degree in Journalism from the Ghana Institute of Journalism and has developed his craft within some of Ghana’s leading media organisations. Mubarak has worked with the Multimedia Group, where he served as a sports radio and television presenter at Joy FM, while also contributing as a writer for Myjoyonline.com.Known for his sharp instincts and ability to deliver timely football stories, Mubarak has gained growing recognition for his impactful reporting and dedication to the profession.He is currently the Deputy Managing Editor of African.Football, where he plays a key role in driving editorial operations, breaking major stories and supporting the platform’s mission to deliver fast, reliable and high-quality African football content to a global audience.

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