The LNFP has brought forward the Stade Tunisien – Club Africain clash and moved the postponed matches from matchday 7, at the request of national team coach Mouine Chaabani, before Tunisia’s double header against Libya.
The Tunisian league is adapting to the needs of the national team. The National Professional Football League (LNFP) has officially changed the Ligue 1 calendar, according to African Manager. The Stade Tunisien – Club Africain clash, counting for matchday 3 and initially set for 5 November, has been brought forward to 3 November 2026.
In the same move, the postponed matches from matchday 7, first scheduled for 1 November, have been pushed back to 7 and 8 November. The decision was ratified at the request of the Federal Competitions Commission and national team coach Mouine Chaabani.
A tightly packed Group H
Tunisia sit 3rd in Group H of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers with 2 points. The two home draws conceded in Radès, 1-1 against Uganda and then 2-2 against Botswana, weigh heavily on their qualification bid.
Above them, Uganda lead with 4 points and are automatically qualified as co-hosts of the tournament. Botswana also have 2 points but sit ahead of Tunisia thanks to a better goal difference. Libya bring up the rear with 1 point.
The format leaves little margin: only one nation from Group H will join Uganda in the finals. The two matches against Libya, on 13 and 17 November 2026, on matchdays 3 and 4, therefore take on capital importance.
The calendar as a preparation lever
It is in this context that Mouine Chaabani demanded the reshuffle, to put the Tunisian national team in the best possible working conditions. By bringing forward the Stade Tunisien – Club Africain clash and postponing the matches from matchday 7, the LNFP is changing the calendar of two directly affected clubs, before the double header against Libya.
The Federal Competitions Commission also backed the request, alongside the national team coach. The report does not specify the list of players selected by Chaabani for these matches.
Two fixtures to change everything
The double header against Libya, on 13 and 17 November 2026, will give Tunisia the chance to close in on the leading pack. Four teams in Group H are separated by three points, from Uganda (4 points) to Libya (1 point). A perfect run would put Tunisia back in a strong position; another stumble would seriously complicate matters.
The first fixture in this tightened calendar is the Stade Tunisien – Club Africain clash on 3 November 2026, followed by the postponed matches from matchday 7 on 7 and 8 November.