Afful scores in Esperance Caf Champions League agony

Harrison Afful

Ghana defender Harrison Afful was on target for Esperance on Saturday night in this year's Caf Champions final return leg but missed out on the trophy.

Afful's goal ensured the Tunis-based side earn a 1-1 draw with TP Mazembe from DR Congo in the return leg of this year's final.

Esperance needed to overturn a 5-0 deficit from the first leg and Afful was spot on with the opener on 24 minutes after a poor clearance in the penalty area.

But their dream of causing an upset was jeopardized after defender Aymen Ben Amor was sent off for spitting on the opposing goalkeeper in the course of the celebrations.

Mazembe, holders of the title, took advantage of their numerical strength and snatched the equalizer in the 67th minute through Deo Kanda.

The goal dashed hopes of any revival and the Congolese sealed a 5-1 aggregate win to a successive defence of the trophy they lifted last year.

Afful becomes the second Ghanaian in a row to miss out on the continental silverware after Aziz Ansah, then with Heartland FC, was denied last year by the same side.

Mazembe claimed the US$ 1.5 million prize-money and will represent the continent at the Fifa Club World Cup scheduled for the United Arab Emirates in December.

Esperance, losing finalists in 1999 and 2000, received US$ 1 million for emerging runners-up for the third time.