There is no asking why the Tunisians were already in celebratory mood at the end of their 1-1 draw with Pirates last Saturday because the answer is simple – they boast an excellent home record.
While the Buccaneers will feel encouraged by having avoided defeat on their last two visits to Tunisia, they are up against an Etoile team that has won their last 12 games at home in all competitions.
Etoile are also without defeat in all 18 games they have played at home this year, having recorded 15 wins and three draws.
And they have won all seven of their home games in the CAF Confederation Cup at Stade Olympique de Sousse scoring 14 goals. This includes five in the massacre of Zamalek in the semi-finals.
The last time they lost at home was when ES Zarzis shocked them 3-2 in a League match on November 30 last year. And they have lost just three times in their last 50 home matches, winning 39 of those.
Etoile last lost a CAF game at home last year in the group stages of the very same Confederations Cup when Ivory Coast club Sewe Sport beat with a solitary goal.
Fortunately, what Pirates have going for them is two things: Firstly, their away form in CAF matches has been good; and secondly, a high scoring-draw will be sufficient for them to be crowned champions.
Any drawn scoreline of 2-2 or a great goals tally will suffice, while a 1-1 draw will take the game to a penalty shoot-out.
What Pirates simply must do, is score. A goalless draw will be as bad as defeat, thanks to ESS’ away goal scored in the closing satages of the first leg last weekend.