CAF Champions League: US Monastirienne seek to seal progress against East End Lions 

US Monastirienne will aim to finish the job when they face Sierra Leone’s East End Lions in the second leg of their CAF Champions League first-round tie on Sunday, 28 September, at the Taïeb Mehiri Stadium in Sfax.

Kick-off is scheduled for 15:00 local time under the supervision of Ghanaian referee Julian Nii Akwa Nunoo, with live television coverage provided by Watania 1.

The Tunisian side enter the match with a commanding 4-0 advantage from the first leg and need only to avoid a heavy defeat to secure their passage to the next stage.

Despite the sizeable cushion, Monastir’s players have stressed the importance of maintaining focus and professionalism.

We know we have a good result from the first match, but nothing is decided yet, said a source close to the squad. We must stay concentrated and make sure of our qualification.

Preparation for the tie has been complicated by logistical issues.

With their Mustapha Ben Jannet Stadium unavailable due to a lack of CAF approval, US Monastirienne were forced to find an alternative venue at short notice.

The club ultimately opted for the Taïeb Mehiri Stadium in Sfax, which meets the confederation’s regulations and allows them to host the fixture under proper conditions.

Coach Aymen Harzi’s men have impressed on their continental debut so far and are determined to extend their journey in Africa’s premier club competition.

Victory over East End Lions would set up a tougher challenge in the second round, where Monastir would face either Ghana’s Bibiani Gold Stars FC or Algeria’s JS Kabylie, who hold a 2-0 advantage after their first-leg meeting.

For US Monastirienne, the stakes are clear: a place in the group stage of the Champions League and the chance to test themselves against some of the continent’s strongest teams.

Their emphatic performance in the opening leg suggests they have the firepower to advance, but the team and coaching staff insist that complacency cannot be allowed to creep in.

With home advantage secured and a healthy lead on aggregate, US Monastirienne appear well placed to clear the first hurdle of their continental campaign and continue their rise on the African stage.

Sunday’s match will reveal whether they can translate potential into progress.