Al Ahli Tripoli target first-leg advantage against Welwalo Adigrat

Al Ahli Tripoli will look to continue their impressive scoring form when they travel to Ethiopia to face Welwalo Adigrat Uni in the first leg of the second preliminary round of the 2026-27 CAF Confederation Cup on Friday.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 17:00 GMT at Dire Dawa Stadium, with the Libyan side hoping to secure a positive result before the return fixture in Libya next week.

Al Ahli Tripoli enter the encounter after an emphatic first-round performance against KMKM of Zanzibar. They won both legs of the tie, recording a 3-0 victory in the first meeting before completing a 4-0 win in the return leg.

The two victories gave the Libyan club an aggregate score of 7-0, underlining their attacking strength and defensive discipline ahead of their trip to Ethiopia.

Their ability to score freely while keeping clean sheets will offer encouragement as they prepare to face another opponent seeking a place in the next stage of the competition.

However, Welwalo Adigrat Uni will be determined to make home advantage count as they attempt to secure a favourable result against the Libyan visitors.

The Ethiopian side booked their place in the second preliminary round after overcoming Al Hilal Port Sudan in a closely contested first-round tie.

Welwalo Adigrat suffered a 2-1 defeat in the first leg but responded with a 2-1 victory in the return match. That result allowed them to progress on aggregate, according to the available information.

Their qualification demonstrated their ability to respond after a difficult first-leg result, and they will now face another demanding test against an Al Ahli Tripoli side that has started its continental campaign strongly.

Welwalo Adigrat will need to remain organised at the back to limit the visitors’ attacking threat. Any defensive weaknesses could prove costly against a team that has already scored seven goals without conceding in the competition.

Al Ahli Tripoli, meanwhile, will aim to use their attacking quality to put themselves in a strong position before returning home for the second leg.

The Libyan club’s immediate objective will be to avoid defeat and, if possible, take a lead into the return fixture. Welwalo Adigrat will be hoping to use their home support to challenge the visitors and keep their qualification hopes alive.

With both sides seeking progress in the CAF Confederation Cup, Friday’s first-leg encounter will be an important step towards securing a place in the next round.

The return leg is scheduled to take place in Libya the following week, where the outcome of the two matches will determine which team advances in the competition.