Tunisia international Youssef Msakni scored the only goal of the game after four minutes to give Nabil Maloul’s side a huge boost ahead the second leg in Tunis in two weeks.

Esperance missed out on the title last season when they were thrashed 6-1 on aggregate in the final by DR Congo’s Mazembe.

Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca edged 1-0 past Enyimba of Nigeria in the other semi-final clash on Saturday.

Hilal 0-1 Esperance