Esperance win Arab Champions League

Tunisian side Esperance de Tunis have won the 2008-09 edition of the Arab Champions League. Wydad Casablanca were beaten 2-1 on aggregate in the final.

The first leg, played in Morocco, ended in a 0-1 victory to Esperance for whom the 1-1 draw in the return leg was enough to clinch the trophy.

Wydad almost forced extra time as Rafik Abdessamad netted from the penalty spot in the 66th minute but things went wrong when striker Mustapha Bidoudane was sent off, shortly followed by a penalty to the hosts.

Oussama Darragi converted that spot kick with four minutes to go, thereby securing the final victory.

For Wydad, it is their second consecutive defeat in an Arab Champions League final. Last year, the Moroccans lost 2-0 to the hands of Algerian side ES Setif.