Hearts of Oak: Esperance suffer narrow defeat in Tunisian Ligue 1 ahead of Phobians clash

By El Akyereko Frimpong

Follow the writer on Twitter: @AkyerekOfficial

Accra Hearts of Oak's CAF Confederation Cup opponents Esperance de Tunis slipped to a narrow 1-0 loss against rivals Club Africain in the Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 on Tuesday night. 

Jose Morais' men were unable to recover from Imed Minyeoui's 42nd minute strike at the Stade Olympique d'El Menzah.

Harrison Afful's side finish the game with ten men after one of their key defenders were sent off midway through the second-half of the game.

Esperance made a short trip from Rades to Tunis to play their round of 29 game as dress-rehearsal for their top clash with Hearts in the coming weekend.

The 26-time Tunisian champions fired a strong warning to Hearts of Oak over the weekend with a 6-1 derby win over Stade Gabésien but yesterday's results could be a highlight of their inconsistent form this season.

The loss has further pecked Esperance to third place on the section and could miss out of continental football next season.