Despite a tentative showing in the first leg final of the Caf Champions League, Esperance will be slight favourites to win their second continental crown in Tunis on Saturday.
Wydad Casablanca have suffered a major setback ahead of the return leg final of this year’s CAF Champions League against Esperance after goalkeeper and skipper Lemyaghri Nadir dislocated his shoulder in training.
According to the official website of the Moroccan club, Nadir, who is also his country’s No.1, could be sidelined for up to 45 days.
The 1992 African champions were held to a goalless draw by Tunisian champions Esperance in the first leg final inside a packed Mohamed V Stadium Casablanca.
The 35-year-old Nadir has been an international since 2003.
The experienced goal tender is now most likely to be replaced by 20-year-old Yassine Bounou, who is Morocco Olympic team shot stopper.
The Tunisian club, whose sole continental triumph came in 1994 despite three subsequent appearances in the final, have been in a similar position before.
In 1999 they held Raja Casablanca to a goalless draw away in the first leg of the final but then lost on penalties after the return game in Tunis also proved goalless.
Saturday’s winner will go on to next month’s Club World Cup in Japan where they join other continental club champions, including Barcelona and Santos of Brazil.
