CAF Confederation Cup: Club Africain Aim to Take Control in All-Maghreb Clash Against ASO Chlef
Club Africain of Tunisia travel to Algeria on Friday for a high-stakes North African showdown against ASO Chlef in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup round of 16.
The match, held at the Boumezrag Stadium in Chlef, pits two Maghreb rivals against each other in what promises to be a tightly contested derby. Club Africain, who currently sit top of the Tunisian league, enter the tie as slight favourites on paper, but they are under no illusions about the challenge that awaits them in Algeria.
Speaking ahead of the encounter, Club Africain’s Algerian defender Hichem Belkaroui warned that ASO Chlef’s position near the bottom of the Algerian top flight does not reflect their true potential.
“We’ve started working hard to prepare for this match — now it’s time for action,” Belkaroui told Le Buteur. “Both teams have a real chance of winning. I know ASO well, and their current ranking doesn’t represent the quality of football they play. We’ll need to give everything to get through.”
ASO Chlef, who are battling relegation in their domestic league, will be looking to make home advantage count as they attempt to salvage a difficult season through continental success. The CAF Cup now stands as their only realistic route to silverware and pride.
For Belkaroui, the match also carries personal significance as he returns to play on Algerian soil.
“Of course, I’m happy to be back in my home country,” he said. “The draw has been kind to us — no long, exhausting trips to sub-Saharan Africa. We’ll be playing in familiar climatic conditions and against a Maghreb team, which should lead to a good-quality game.”
Despite the second leg still to come in Tunis, Club Africain are determined to take the initiative away from home. A positive result in Chlef would give the Tunisian leaders a major advantage heading into the return fixture next week.
“Our objective is clear — to win and qualify for the next round,” Belkaroui added. “We’ve come here with the ambition to get a strong result, and we’ll do everything we can to make it happen.”
The North African derby promises not only tactical intrigue and physical battles, but also regional pride on the continental stage — with both sides desperate to advance to the CAF Cup quarter-finals.
