A second-half goal from Mohamed Ben Mansour gave Esperance a 1-0 home win over TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo as the title holders reached the African Champions League final.

The defender struck with 20 minutes remaining to lift Esperance to their third consecutive final as they seek to win their third continental title.

Esperance won 1-0 on aggregate after a first-leg in DR Congo, in which they  were outplayed by Mazembe, ended goalless.

They will face either Ahly of Egypt or Nigeria’s Sunshine Stars, who clash in Cairo in the other Champions League semi-final on Sunday.

Esperance took the game to Mazembe in the first half and came close to breaking the deadlock on a couple of occasions.

A volley by the unmarked Karim Aouadhi went over the bar but he was unlucky not to make amends in the 37th minute when his free header from a Youssef Msakni cross struck the bar.

Mazembe, who looked tame throughout, could have also scored after one of their few counter attacks saw Basisila Lusadisu break clear but his subsequent shot from a tight angle was tipped over by Esperance keeper.

Esperance remained superior in the second half and deservedly went ahead on 70 minutes when Ben Mansour connected with a flick-on from a teammate following a free-kick to side-foot the ball home at the far post, sparking wild celebrations in the stands.

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