Tunisian security authorities on Wednesday set the capacity of Radès’s Stade Hamadi Agrebi at 25,000 spectators for the second legs of Espérance de Tunis and Club Africain in the CAF Champions League.
The decision directly concerns the two Tunis clubs for the second leg of the CAF Champions League second preliminary round. On Wednesday, the authorities formally fixed the capacity of the Radès stadium at 25,000 supporters, according to La Presse de Tunisie. It will therefore apply to Espérance Sportive de Tunis on Saturday, then to Club Africain on Sunday.
On the pitch, the stakes are simple: qualification would send both capital clubs into the group stage of Africa’s premier club competition, Kawarji recalls. But the boards of both clubs are calling for a capacity of at least 30,000 spectators, again according to La Presse de Tunisie. Further consultation meetings with the Ministry of the Interior are scheduled before Friday.
Espérance with their backs to the wall
Espérance de Tunis will host Libyan club Al Swehly this Saturday, 24 October 2026 at 17:00, La Presse de Tunisie reports. The Tunis side go into the match with a handicap: they lost 0-1 in the first leg played in Libya, according to Kawarji. The club thus find themselves with their backs to the wall before hosting their opponents.
In this situation, the support of the crowd could weigh heavily. The club’s directors are asking for a capacity of at least 30,000 spectators, while 25,000 places are currently authorised at Radès for all the second legs concerned.
Club Africain await Mazembe
The following day, Sunday 25 October 2026, Club Africain will host DR Congo’s TP Mazembe from 18:00, La Presse de Tunisie specifies. In the first leg in Lubumbashi, the Tunisian club came away with a precious 1-1 draw against the Ravens, according to Kawarji.
The mood around the match remains tense. According to Mosaïque FM, Mazembe have protested against hosting in Tunis, which adds a security dimension to the sporting fixture.
Towards a decisive meeting
The decision now rests with the authorities. The talks scheduled before Friday with the Ministry of the Interior are due to rule on the request from both clubs, who are calling for at least 30,000 places, according to La Presse de Tunisie.
Until then, both matches remain scheduled at the announced times: Saturday at 17:00 for Espérance against Al Swehly, Sunday at 18:00 for Club Africain against TP Mazembe.