Afful tips great African Champions League final

Morocco's Wydad Casablanca and Esperance of Tunisia could not be separated in the Champions League group stages, drawing 2-2 in Casablanca and 0-0 in Tunis

Ghanaian Harrison Afful believes the 2011 African Champions League has delivered a 'great final' in the shape of Esperance versus Wydad Casablanca.

The defender helped Esperance beat Sudan's Al Hilal 3-0 on aggregate this weekend, while Wydad made the final after defeating Enyimba 1-0.

"Wydad are a very good side. They are very physical, mentally strong and play good football, like we do," said Afful.

"So it's a great final and everybody will like to watch this match."

Did you know?

• Esperance were crowned African champions for the first time in 1994, but have failed to win the title since despite reaching the final on three separate occasions (1999, 2000 and 2010)

Esperance, who reached last year's final only to be heavily beaten by Congolese side TP Mazembe, have not been crowned Africa's best since the Champions League replaced the African Cup of Champions in 1997.

And the Tunisians have already clashed with their Moroccan foes in the group stages of this year's tournament.

August's Group B game in Casablanca ended 2-2, while the Tunis tie later in the month was a goalless affair.

"We've played them twice now, so we know each other," Afful told BBC Sport.

"With our determination and unity, we can lift the ultimate - that is, the trophy."

Wydad, who are in the final for the first time since winning in 1992, will host the first leg of the final on the weekend of 04-06 November.

The second and decisive leg will take place in Tunisia a week later.

"It's a great advantage for us to be playing in Morocco in the first leg," the Ghanaian added.

Esperance were forced to play Saturday's clash at home to Sudan's Al Hilal behind closed doors following a Confederation of African Football sanction for fan violence.

However, the fans will be allowed back for the final - when Esperance hope a first African title since 1994 may deliver an inaugural trip to the Fifa Club World Cup.

"Everyone in Europe is watching (the African Champions League) and we players can gain something better from this competition," Afful explained.

"Playing the European or South American champions in the Club World Cup would be great. We always watch them on television and we always wish to play against them."

The 2011 Fifa Club World Cup will run from 08-18 December in Japan.