IKHALIIL
Suldhaanka
Dekedaha’s CAF Champions League dream ends with 8-0 defeat to Esperance
Dekedaha FC defenders try to stop Esperance de Tunis forward Youcef Belaili during their CAF Champions League match at Stade de Radès. Belaili scored a hat-trick as Esperance dominated Dekedaha 8-0 to advance to the group stage. Credit: Mosaique FM
185 SharesFacebookFacebook messengerTwitterWhatsAppLinkedInTelegramEmail
Sunday September 22, 2024
Dekedaha FC defenders try to stop Esperance de Tunis forward Youcef Belaili during their CAF Champions League match at Stade de Radès. Belaili scored a hat-trick as Esperance dominated Dekedaha 8-0 to advance to the group stage. Credit: Mosaique FM
Mogadishu (HOL) — Dekedaha FC's journey in the CAF Champions League came to a painful conclusion on Saturday as they suffered an 8-0 defeat against Esperance de Tunis at the Stade de Radès, sealing a 12-1 aggregate loss. The victory propelled the Tunisian giants into the group stage of the 2024-25 CAF Champions.
The four-time CAF Champions League winners dominated from the outset, with Yan Sasse opening the scoring just seven minutes in. Moments later, Kebba Sowe doubled the lead, setting the tone for a long night for the Somali visitors. The Algerian forward Youcef Belaili then put on a masterclass, netting a hat-trick by the 52nd minute to further cement his status as one of the competition's standout players. Belaili's goals in the 18th, 45th, and 52nd minutes left Dekedaha's defence in tatters.
The onslaught continued as Esperance's Mohamed Amine Tougai converted a penalty in the 70th minute. Additional goals from Mohamed Wael Derbali and Hamza Jelassi in the 74th and 78th minutes completed the rout.
Dekedaha FC, representing Somalia in the CAF Champions League for the second time, struggled to keep pace with their more experienced and resource-rich opponents. While Dekedaha managed to score in the first leg, Saturday's match underscored the challenges faced by teams from smaller footballing nations like Somalia. The gulf in quality between the two sides was apparent. The Somali team, primarily composed of part-time players with limited international exposure, could not cope with the relentless pressure from the Tunisian powerhouse.
The Tunisian club's success is part of a dominant trend that saw Africa's football heavyweights cruising through to the group stage. Defending champions Al Ahly eased past Kenya's Gor Mahia with a 6-0 aggregate win, while South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns thrashed Mbabane Swallows 8-0 over two legs.
Elsewhere, DR Congo's TP Mazembe secured a 4-1 aggregate victory against Zambia's Red Arrows, while Morocco's Raja Casablanca dispatched Ghana's Samartex 4-2 on aggregate.
Saturday's victory ensures Esperance's place in the competition's group stage, where they will be looking to add a fifth Champions League trophy to their cabinet.
Dekedaha's journey to this point was already a historic achievement for Somali football, marking the first time in 36 years that a Somali team had advanced beyond the preliminary stages of the CAF Champions League.
However, the challenges facing Somali football were evident in this tie. Dekedaha was forced to play both legs of the contest in Tunisia due to the lack of international-standard stadiums in Somalia. This logistical hurdle deprived the team of any potential home-field advantage, making their task even more difficult.
Despite challenging domestic circumstances, their involvement in the competition is a sign of progress for a nation where football is growing. Somali teams rarely make it to the advanced rounds of continental competitions, but each appearance provides valuable experience that helps the game grow back home.
The match also highlights the need for greater financial backing for Somali clubs. Competing against well-established teams like Esperance, who have access to state-of-the-art training facilities and a wealth of experience, shows how much further Somalia needs to go to be competitive on the African stage.
