Esperance deTunis moved a step closer in sealing a qualification into the Group face of the CAF Confederation Cup as they hammered Ghanaian side Hearts of Oak 4-0 in the first leg tie at the Rades sports stadium in Tunis on Sunday.

A brace from Samuel Ekuok and a goal each from Harrison Afful and Ghaylen Chaalali cut Hearts of Oak into pieces with the away side failing to get a consolation goal.

The home side started the game as the strongest side with a lot of incursions into Hearts of Oak goal area but Soulama Abdoulaye in post for the Phobians stood tall in goal.

Samuel Ekuok in the 10 minute mark opened the scoring for Esperance as the defense line of the Phobians failed to curtailed the run of the goal scorer, the home side grew in confidence as they look in getting more goals but Soulama Abdoulaye stood to the task.

Hearts of Oak attack led by Gilbert Fiamenyo and Foovi Aguidi were completely wasteful upfront as the decent chances they had in the game they failed to put the ball at the back of the net.  The  first half ended 1-0 advantage.

From recess, Esperance showed their great quality on the field of play as they most relied on the counter attack with the Phobians dictating the pace which against the round of play Samuel Ekuok struck his brace on the 57 minute.

However, the stake looked much higher for the Phobians as former Asante Kotoko left back; Harrison registered his name on the score sheet with a powerful strike which took a wicked deflection on Philip Boampong on the 74 minute.

The Phobians went on attack searching for the needed away goal but they were put to sleep in the 84 minute, Ghaylen Chaalali put the icing on the cake with the 4 goal as Esperance de Tunis inched a closer to the Group face of the CAF Confederation cup with the second leg scheduled to come off in three weeks time in Accra.

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