CAF Cup: Confident Etoile du Sahel Eye Early Advantage Against Young Africans
Tunisian side Etoile Sportive du Sahel travel to Tanzania this weekend to face Young Africans in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup round of 16 clash, with ambitions of sealing qualification early.
The Sousse-based club head into Saturday’s encounter with a slight edge on paper, thanks to their greater experience in African club competitions. Despite playing away from home, the Tunisian outfit has expressed confidence ahead of the showdown against the Tanzanian Premier League leaders.
Speaking to National Radio ahead of the match, veteran defender Ammar Jemal underlined the team’s ambition to secure a strong result in Dar es Salaam to ease pressure ahead of the return leg.
“Our team is going through a good period,” Jemal said. “We must take advantage of that and try to get a result that puts us in a strong position for qualification. Of course, we’ll aim not to concede, but that doesn’t mean we’ll sit back. Scoring away from home will be very important.”
Etoile du Sahel are currently enjoying good domestic form and have been building momentum ahead of this continental fixture. Their strategy in Tanzania is expected to be balanced — cautious in defence, but opportunistic in attack.
Young Africans, who top the league in Tanzania, are not to be underestimated, especially at home where they enjoy strong fan support. But Etoile’s rich continental pedigree — including a CAF Cup title in 2006 and consistent participation in African competitions — gives them a psychological edge.
A result in Tanzania would significantly strengthen the Tunisian club’s chances of advancing to the quarter-finals as they aim to replicate past glories on the African stage.
The return leg will be played in Sousse in the coming weeks, where Etoile will hope to finish the job in front of their home supporters.
