Champions League - CA faces Djoliba in the preliminary round: Not so easy…

Club Africain (CA) begins its demanding two-round preliminary campaign in the Champions League against Djoliba, a fixture that highlights the club's current standing in African football. Supporters' hopes for CA to be among Africa's elite are not reflected in recent statistics. Since their last continental title in 1991, the club has reached finals in 1999 and 2011 but has consistently faltered in the preliminary rounds of the Champions League, failing to reach the group stage for four consecutive seasons between 2008 and 2011.

The club's history in the competition shows a stark decline. The last time CA participated in the Champions League group stage was in 2019, ending in a significant disappointment. While they have had some satisfactory runs in the CAF Confederation Cup, notably in 2017, their overall continental performance has been modest. This context makes CA's placement in a lower tier for the preliminary draw logical, positioning them as underdogs against teams that frequently compete in the main event.

Despite these historical struggles, the immediate objective for Maher Kanzari's players is to overcome Djoliba and advance to the group stage, which would be a significant achievement for a team making its return to the competition and seeking to build experience. The absence from the Champions League for extended periods has altered the team's dynamics and reflexes. Even with an experienced coach like Kanzari, who understands African football, and knowledgeable players such as Meriah or Kinzumbi, the path forward is far from easy.

The first leg against Djoliba is crucial. While the Malian opponent has won their domestic title, they are reportedly facing financial difficulties that have delayed their season's restart. Nevertheless, Djoliba possesses experienced players with continental exposure. Kanzari recognizes that a win in the home leg in Radès is vital to gaining an advantage for the return match. Failure to secure a victory at home would place immense pressure on the players for the second leg. Kanzari, who took over after Benzarti began preparations, is working to quickly integrate a squad that has seen significant changes, particularly in defense, with key players like Chrifi, Ben Abda, Shili, and Zemzmi having departed. The need for defensive reinforcements is pressing, but new players are arriving slowly, and the transfer window adds further uncertainty.