Club Africain welcome back right-back Ghaïth Zâalouni and defender Sadok Kadida ahead of Sunday’s visit of TP Mazembe in Radès, where Houssem Ben Ali is in turn almost ruled out, according to Mosaïque FM.
Club Africain are preparing for their CAF Champions League second preliminary round second leg with a partly rebuilt squad. According to Mosaïque FM, right-back Ghaïth Zâalouni has returned to collective training, while defender Sadok Kadida has recovered from the injury that kept him out of the first leg in Lubumbashi. The match takes place on Sunday at the Stade Hamadi Agrebi in Radès.
The bad news comes from the left flank: Houssem Ben Ali, the Tunisian club’s left-back, is almost ruled out and must undergo further medical tests, again according to the same source. In the first leg, played at Kamalondo, the two sides drew (1-1).
A 0-0 would be enough for the Clubistes
Club Africain need only a goalless draw (0-0) to qualify, thanks to the away goals rule, Mosaïque FM reports. Qualification therefore does not require a win, but rather keeping their goal intact.
The 1-1 brought back from Kamalondo nevertheless leaves little margin: a goal conceded in Radès would force the Tunis side to score in turn to stand any hope of qualifying.
The winner of this clash between African heavyweights will book their ticket to the lucrative group stage, CAF Online recalls. The stakes, both sporting and financial, are therefore considerable for both sides.
Mazembe already settled in Tunis
TP Mazembe will not be discovering the pitch at kick-off: the Congolese club have been staying and training in Tunis for several days to prepare for this decisive encounter, according to the ACP.
The Congolese have also contested the refereeing of the first leg and put pressure on the CAF’s refereeing appointment, Mosaïque FM reports. The issue accompanies the team on their trip to Tunisia, with no word yet on how CAF will follow up on the complaint.
Radès expects more than 30,000 supporters
The atmosphere promises to be red-hot at the Radès stadium, where more than 30,000 Club Africain supporters are expected, according to Mosaïque FM. Kick-off for Club Africain – TP Mazembe is set for Sunday 25 October.
Houssem Ben Ali’s fate depends on the medical tests he must undergo. Mosaïque FM reports him as almost ruled out, while Ghaïth Zâalouni and Sadok Kadida are now back fit.