CS Sfaxien managed to break their dry spell with a 2-1 victory against neighbours, Etoile du Sahel, in Sfax on Sunday and book their quarter finals ticket.
Firas Chawat opened the scoring for Sfaxien while Saddam Ben Aziza tied the score for the visitors. Nassim Hnid restored the lead for the host from the spot, which was the eventual decider as Sfaxien became the first from Group B to reach the knockout stage.
The first half ended barren with either side failing to find the back of the net. Iheb Msakni was the first to try his luck for the guests at the quarter hour mark but his effort missed the target. Alaeddine Marzouki responded five minutes before the break but Walid Kriden had no difficulty stopping the shot.
Having beaten Etoile on their own turf at the start of the group stage matches, Sfax were keen on a historic double. Two minutes before the hour mark, Marzouki penetrated the Etoile defence with a cross which found Chawat to score the opener.
It was a short-lived joy for Sfaxien and four minutes later Maher Hannachi’s corner was in the right spot for Ben Aziza to even the odds.
With 15 minutes before time, Chawat was fouled in the forbidden area and was awarded a penalty. Hnid stepped up to successfully convert it into a goal.
Sfax were on cloud 9 at this point. Despite having lost midifielder Mohamed Ali Moncer in the 83rd minute for a second yellow card within 6 minutes, the hosts managed to sail through the game and take the precious match points.
Sfaxien sits on top of group B with nine points, two points ahead of Etoile. Rangers of Nigeria have five points with Burkinabe debutants Salitas in that order on four points.
