The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that three stadiums in Tunisia will host matches for the opening two rounds of the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup, allowing most participating Tunisian clubs to play on home soil.
In its latest inspection outcome, CAF approved the Hamadi Agrebi Stadium in Rades, the Olympic Stadium in Sousse, and the Taieb Mehiri Stadium in Sfax for use during the preliminary rounds.
The decision ensures that three of the four Tunisian representatives in continental competitions will have the advantage of home support in the early stages.
Espérance Sportive de Tunis and Stade Tunisien, both involved in CAF competitions this season, will stage their fixtures at the Hamadi Agrebi Stadium.
The venue, located in the capital, will host both Champions League and Confederation Cup action during this phase.
Etoile du Sahel, who are set to compete in the Confederation Cup, will play their matches at the Olympic Stadium in Sousse.
Meanwhile, the Taieb Mehiri Stadium in Sfax will be available for use should any fixture scheduling require it.
The Monastirian Sports Union faces a different challenge after their Mustapha Ben Jannet Stadium failed to meet CAF’s requirements.
As a result, the club is expected to relocate its home matches to Sfax for the qualifying rounds.
CAF’s stadium approval is based on strict criteria covering pitch quality, safety standards, floodlighting, and media facilities.
While several Tunisian venues met the standard for the preliminary stages, the list narrows significantly for the later rounds.
For the group stage and knockout phases of both competitions, CAF has so far granted approval solely to the Hamadi Agrebi Stadium in Rades.
This means that if Tunisian teams advance, matches in the decisive stages will be concentrated at that venue unless other stadiums secure the necessary clearance in future inspections.
The decision is likely to boost Tunisian clubs in the early rounds, providing them with familiar surroundings and home crowd backing.
However, it also highlights the growing importance of infrastructure compliance in African football, with clubs across the continent under increasing pressure to ensure their facilities meet CAF’s evolving standards.
Tunisian sides have a long and proud history in African club competitions, and the allocation of approved stadiums is expected to play a significant role in their campaigns this season.
With continental glory at stake, securing the right venue may prove as crucial as the action on the pitch.
