Espérance Sportive de Tunis head coach Patrice Beaumelle cut a deflated figure after his side were eliminated from the CAF Champions League on Saturday, with Mamelodi Sundowns sealing a 2-0 aggregate victory to reach the final at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
Sundowns progressed to the final with a 2-0 aggregate win over Espérance in the semi-finals, with the South African giants defending gallantly before Brayan León converted from the penalty spot after goalkeeper Ben Said fouled him in the area, making it 1-0 on the day.
Beaumelle, who had arrived in Pretoria vowing to rewrite history, acknowledged the pain of the defeat while refusing to diminish the efforts of his players.
He praised the squad for their discipline and execution of the game plan, but identified one costly moment as the difference between progress and elimination.
“I’m sad, when you reach the dressing room, everyone is head down and disappointed, despite the game we did, I’d like to congratulate them for their efforts, they respected the plan from the beginning of the game,” Beaumelle said post-match.
“We controlled it against Sundowns, which is never easy. They did exactly what we planned and then one stupid decision changed the game – and then when you are running after a game, it’s quite difficult. You have to adapt and change your mind, make substitutions to score as fast as possible.”
The Frenchman described the tie as a genuine showpiece of African club football, reserving praise for both sets of players despite the bitter outcome for his own side.
“I think it was a tough game. All the players from my side and Sundowns did the maximum – it was a very tense game. Congratulations to all these athletes, it was a fantastic game, a real Champions League semi-final,” he continued.
“Unfortunately, some people killed the game; but otherwise, it’s the name of football. We have to accept and try to come back next season stronger.
“A lot of young players without experience in my team, but tonight I’m very proud to be coaching a team with such athletes.”
Espérance will now miss out on what would have been their ninth CAF Champions League final appearance, a landmark only Al Ahly have surpassed in the history of the competition.
For Sundowns, it confirms a second successive Champions League final appearance as they seek a first continental title since 2016 – where they will face ASFAR in the final.
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