The 27th edition of the CAF Super Cup promises a high-stakes showdown this Friday as Espérance Sportive de Tunis, winners of the CAF Champions League, take on Raja Casablanca, the victors of the CAF Confederation Cup. For the first time in the history of the competition, the match will be staged outside the African continent, with Qatar’s capital, Doha, playing host to this eagerly anticipated clash between two of North Africa’s most storied clubs.
Historically, the CAF Super Cup has largely favored the winners of the Champions League. In fact, the team that claims Africa’s premier club competition has triumphed in 19 of the last 20 Super Cup editions. The only exception came in 2012 when Morocco’s Fes club defeated Espérance on penalties, underscoring the competitive unpredictability that makes the Super Cup so compelling.
Espérance de Tunis arrives in Doha with experience and ambition. The Tunisian giants will be contesting their fourth Super Cup, having lifted the trophy in 1995, but suffered defeats in 1999 and 2012. Their squad includes standout performers such as Anice Badri, who finished the 2018 CAF Champions League with eight goals—including qualifiers—the most by any player in the tournament. Under the guidance of coach Moine Chaâbani, a former Espérance player, the team will be seeking Chaâbani’s second trophy with his boyhood club, having led them to CAF Champions League glory last November.
Raja Casablanca, meanwhile, will be competing in their third Super Cup, having won the competition in 2000 and lost in 1998. The Moroccan side’s attacking threat is led by Mahmoud Benhalib, who scored 12 goals during the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup—including qualifying rounds—making him the top scorer of the tournament. Raja’s current coach, Frenchman Patrice Carteron, is no stranger to the CAF Super Cup stage. He took charge of the Moroccan club last month, succeeding CAF Confederation Cup winner Juan Carlos Garrido, and notably faced Chaâbani in last year’s Champions League final while managing Al Ahly. This tactical rematch adds an extra layer of intrigue to Friday’s fixture.
Beyond individual talent and managerial storylines, the CAF Super Cup represents a clash of footballing philosophies and rich club histories. Espérance boasts a strong winning culture and continental pedigree, while Raja brings youthful energy and attacking verve, making for a balanced and potentially explosive encounter. Fans will be watching to see whether Espérance can continue the Champions League dominance in Super Cup history or if Raja can defy the odds and claim the trophy for the Confederation Cup winners.
Financial incentives are modest but meaningful: the winner will receive $100,000, while the runner-up takes home $75,000. However, for both clubs, the stakes are primarily about prestige, continental glory, and adding another chapter to their already impressive histories.
With star players, experienced coaches, and historical narratives converging, the 27th CAF Super Cup in Doha promises to be a thrilling spectacle that showcases the strength and depth of North African club football on a global stage.
