Esperance upset Stade Malien 1-0 this week in a match that took 25 hours to complete, and ended the Tunisians' three-match CAF Confederation Cup losing streak.

Torrential rain at Stade Modibo Keita in Mali capital Bamako Sunday brought the matchday 4 game to a halt four minutes after half-time with the visitors leading.

The teams returned to the venue Monday to play the remaining 41 minutes, which produced no goals and allowed Esperance to avenge a home loss to Stade three weekends ago.

Nigerian striker Samuel Eduok raised his Confederation Cup goal tally to three this season by scoring the mid-first half winner, finishing off a headed flick-on from recent signing Fakhreddine Ben Youssef.

The last 41 minutes of the game were notable for Esperance ill discipline with six players yellow-carded and assistant coach Khaled Mouelhi red-carded by the South African referee.

Victory gave Esperance a glimmer of hope that they can reach the semi-finals of the second-tier African club competition despite the three losses, two of them at home.

But to achieve the unlikely feat, the 'Blood and Gold' will need victories at home to title-holders Al Ahly of Egypt and away to fellow Tunisians Etoile Sahel, and favourable results from other matches.

Defeat was a major setback for 2009 Confederation Cup winners Stade, who remain third ahead of a visit from Etoile and a trip to Ahly.

Etoile defeated Ahly 1-0 in the other matchday 4 game to top the table with nine points, Ahly have seven, Stade four and Esperance three.