Espérance Sportive de Tunis have secured their place in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2026/27 Group Stage, defeating Libya's Swehly SC 3-1 on penalties at home on Saturday after the two legs finished level at 1-1 on aggregate.

The four-time African champions had entered the return leg under enormous pressure, having lost the first leg 1-0 in Libya. A shock early exit loomed large — but a rapid goal from Imad Faraj changed the mood inside the stadium.

Faraj's early strike sets the tone

Faraj broke the deadlock in the 8th minute, cancelling out Swehly's first-leg advantage and restoring parity in the tie. The goal gave Espérance the platform to push for a decisive second, and the home crowd fresh belief that their side could overturn the deficit.

Swehly, who had arrived in Tunis protecting a slender lead earned through an impressive opening-leg display, were forced into a reactive approach from an early stage.

Despite Espérance's intent, neither side managed a further breakthrough before half-time. The second half followed a similar pattern — chances came and went, but the scoreline remained unchanged. With the aggregate still level at 1-1 after 90 minutes, the tie went to penalties.

Composure in the shootout

In the penalty shootout, Espérance demonstrated the experience befitting a club of their stature. They converted three of their four attempts, while Swehly — unable to reproduce the discipline that had carried them to this point — missed three, converting only one. The final shootout score of 3-1 settled the tie in Espérance's favour.

The result marks a significant escape for the Tunisian giants, who had been in genuine danger of suffering one of the most embarrassing eliminations in their continental history at the hands of Swehly.

Swehly's brave run comes to an end

For Swehly, elimination brings a bittersweet conclusion to a campaign that had captured attention across the continent. Their 1-0 first-leg victory had put them on the brink of a famous upset against one of African football's most decorated clubs, but Espérance's resolve — first through Faraj's early goal, then through shootout composure — proved the difference.

Espérance now advance to the 16-team Group Stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2026/27, which is scheduled to begin at the end of November.