Tunis — Esperance Tunis lost away to Recreativo Libolo 1-0 in an Orange CAF Champions League Group B qualifier. A substitute striker for the Angolan hosts scored the lone goal five minutes into stoppage time.

Two-time Champions League winners and four-time finalists EST are the only Maghreb side to make it this far in the 2013 edition of the continental clash, so the late goal by the Angolans was a real shocker.

Early on, the Tunisians allowed the hosts to launch some very dangerous attacks. Recreativo Libolo failed to capitalise on the push because of Esperance's good deployment and a solid performance from goalkeeper Moez Ben Cherifia.

Taraji came very close to scoring a goal in the 20th minute through Algerian player Youcef Belaïli.

In the second half, however, the hosts regained control. They came close to netting the first goal of the match, especially in the 55th minute, but Esperance's Antar Yahia managed to clear the ball before it crossed the line.

The Angolan side continued to attack the Blood and Gold defence. Esperance depended on counterattacks from Belaïli, Harrison Afful and Youssef Msakni, who came very close to scoring a goal in the 84th minute.

The hosts forced Esperance to return to their defence zone. Regulation time ended in a draw, but stoppage time saw striker Aguinaldo deliver the game-winning goal from a corner.

Esperance fans were disappointed for the stunning loss in their African campaign debut.

"We were expecting our team to score a broad win, especially since the competitors have limited capabilities," Mimoun Alioui said.

"It's a real disappointment for the opener," he added. "I hope that our team will make it up, because we'll be playing tough matches against strong teams."

Mauritania surprise Senegal

Spurred on by more than 15,000 supporters and with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz watching from the stands in Nouakchott, the Mourabitounes qualified Saturday (July 20th) for their first-ever major competition.

But the African Nations Championship (CHAN) return leg against Senegal did not get off to an easy start for the Mauritanian local players, who adopted an unusual 4-3-3 formation for the game.

The Lions of Teranga, who had an advantage going into the match, took a defensive stance by focusing on Mauritanian forward Ismail Diakite.

Mauritania took control of the match after just 15 minutes. Their first dangerous play came in the 21st minute when Amar Samb headed a perfect cross from Mamadou Wade, but the ball hit the right post of the goal defended by Senegalese keeper Khadim N'Diaye.

The attempt galvanised the fans, who spurred their team on.

Cheikh Moulaye Ahmed found an opening in the 45th minute. The goal drew uproarious cheers from the stands.

Mauritania's forwards made an increasing number of attacks in the second half. In the 57th minute, Moulaye Ahmed passed the ball to Taghiyoullah Denna, who was ideally placed just outside the penalty area to net the game-winning goal.

The final whistle sparked an outburst of elation over Mauritania's first qualification for a major competition since independence.

At the post-match press conference (boycotted by Senegal), Mauritanian manager Patrice Neveu openly expressed his delight but warned people not to get carried away.

"This is just part of the journey. The most difficult part is yet to come, and we must keep on working," Neveu said.

Cheikh Moulaye Ahmed (aka "Bessam"), the hero of the day with a goal and a decisive pass, said: "We're happy for the fans and for all of the people of Mauritania."

The Mourabitounes advance in the CHAN competition on aggregate. The first leg qualifier in Senegal ended with a 1-0 victory for the hosts.